Pitman Arms

[eoseitz]

I recently bought a near full front suspension rebuild kit for my 74. The car has been a bit loose on the road while driving. I noticed after I got the kit it didn't come with the pitman arm. I got on ebay looking for refurbished ones and it appears they sale them for power steering and non power steering. They look identical to me...at least from pictures. Are there any difference between them? The non power steering ones are cheaper.

I've noticed my steering wheel has play in it. I can turn it maybe 1/4- 1/2 inch in either direction before it actually starts to turn the wheels. Would this be a pitman arm or would I need the gear box?

 

[gmjunkie]

I recently bought a near full front suspension rebuild kit for my 74. The car has been a bit loose on the road while driving. I noticed after I got the kit it didn't come with the pitman arm. I got on ebay looking for refurbished ones and it appears they sale them for power steering and non power steering. They look identical to me...at least from pictures. Are there any difference between them? The non power steering ones are cheaper.

I've noticed my steering wheel has play in it. I can turn it maybe 1/4- 1/2 inch in either direction before it actually starts to turn the wheels. Would this be a pitman arm or would I need the gear box?

Yes there is a difference in the pitman arms!
Could be the pitman arm,could be the box or could be both!

 

[GTR1999]

Pitman arms do not come in front suspension kits. In fact many of those kits leave a lot to be desired in quality parts.

The manual and PS arms are different because of the control valve clearance used on the PS cars. The last 3 digits cast into the arms are:
#451 - maual
#383- PS
They rarely wear out. If the tapered hole is opened up then the ball stud will not be tight and you will have a problem. Once in a blue moon I find one that is damaged, from either an accident or someone not knowing how to remove them.

With all that said, I doubt your loose steering is in the arm. Most likely it is in the box, I see that all the time. The common $150-$200 rebuilt boxes are not what you expect either. Look at the lash screw in the cover of the box. Are there any threads showing above the nut? If you get the car on center is there play in the steering wheel then? Have a helper turn the wheel while you look at the rag joint and input on the box. The pitman arm should respond once the input is turned.

If you need help let me know.

Gary

 

[JohnZ]

Photo below shows both pitman arms - the top one is for power steering, and has more of an offset for clearance to the control valve. It's doubtful that your pitman arm has anything to do with steering play - that's usually in the rag joint and/or in the steering gear.

 

[TimAT]

Look it over carefully as GTR1999 and JohnZ said. Another thing you can do - with the front off the ground and securely supported, slide under and hold onto the pitman arm and push against a tire while a helper turns the steering wheel. See if the shaft out of the gearbox moves up or down with the turning.
Then push against both wheels like you're trying to spread them apart, while watching all the linkage to see if there is any odd movement. (idler arm, tie rod ends moving.)