Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Pitman arm question #2435911
01/16/18 09:20 PM
01/16/18 09:20 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,177
California
mickm Offline OP
master
mickm  Offline OP
master

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,177
California
I'm getting ready to put the K frame back in the car, and was looking things over. The pitman arm pivot point, where the shaft goes into the center link moves very, very freely. I don't detect any side to side or up and down loose play, but considering how stiff all the tie rod ends and ball joints are, I was surprised at how easily this moved around.

Also, I've never thought about it before, but it seems that, like the idler arm, that shaft would only rotate in one dimension, along the axis of that shaft. Is that correct that it should rotate on both axis', like a tie rod end and not like the idler arm?

Am I due for a new pitman arm?

Last edited by mickm; 01/16/18 09:35 PM.
Re: Pitman arm question [Re: mickm] #2435939
01/16/18 10:03 PM
01/16/18 10:03 PM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 953
Chicago
PurpleBeeper Offline
super stock
PurpleBeeper  Offline
super stock

Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 953
Chicago
You might just put some fresh grease in the pitman arm pivot since you don't see any up/down or side/side looseness. After the front steering is all together, have someone move the steering wheel back/forth and look for any "herky jerky" movement and/or see if it still seems loose when bolted up & greased....in my opinion, it's probably fine.

On the idler arm, you're thinking correctly about it's movement, but just like the pitman arm, it's a "ball & socket" pivot like your hip bone & it's possible for it to move in directions it doesn't "need" to move in. No problem there either... in my opinion.


70 Roadrunner convt. street car 440+6, NOS, 4-spd, SS springs '96 Mustang GT convt. street car '04 4.6 SOHC, NOS, auto, lowered "Officer, that button is for short on-ramps"
Re: Pitman arm question [Re: PurpleBeeper] #2436492
01/17/18 06:56 PM
01/17/18 06:56 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,177
California
mickm Offline OP
master
mickm  Offline OP
master

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,177
California
Originally Posted By PurpleBeeper
You might just put some fresh grease in the pitman arm pivot since you don't see any up/down or side/side looseness. After the front steering is all together, have someone move the steering wheel back/forth and look for any "herky jerky" movement and/or see if it still seems loose when bolted up & greased....in my opinion, it's probably fine.

On the idler arm, you're thinking correctly about it's movement, but just like the pitman arm, it's a "ball & socket" pivot like your hip bone & it's possible for it to move in directions it doesn't "need" to move in. No problem there either... in my opinion.


Will do. I'll take a look around once I get it back together. Easy enough to replace if it doesn't look good.







Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1