Solid Pitman arm wear???

[Stomis]

The 442 had an odd click in the front end when I drove it home. I dropped the entire steering setup off it and if I put my hand on the pitman arm and turn the box by it I can distinctly feel the "clicking".

So can a solid pitman arm wear? Should I put it back on and try to get it tightened up better than I could and see if I can get the splines to seat further?

 

[DieselWarrior]

Is the shaft the pitman arm is on (steering shaft coming out of steering box) moving with the pitman arm?? If the pitman arm is slipping, I think you should pull it and look at whats going on. IIRC, they are splined, it "sounds" to me that the splines may be stripped...

If not, it sounds to be in the box... Theres some guys here that can rebuild steering boxes (Im not one of them) and may be able to assist you with that, or swap it out for a reman unit.

GL,
Andrew

 

[Stomis]

Splines on the pitman arm seem good. I didnt think to watch the shaft and see if they were bound together well.

 

[DieselWarrior]

Let us know what you find, we will try to help the best we can!

 

[4X4HIGH]

Chances are that the pitman arm nut had come loose at some point in the past and the splines in the pitman arm have wallered out which means that arm is JUNK. The only way to verify this is to install another arm and see if it fits better and doesn't give you the "click" sound.

FWIW the torque spec on the pitman arm nut is 180 ft/lbs.

 

[DieselWarrior]

FWIW the torque spec on the pitman arm nut is 180 ft/lbs.

I think that translates to: Torque it down until a blood vessel in your eyeball pops. HA HA

 

[Blue85]

Are you sure that slop isn't inside the box?

 

[Stomis]

Are you sure that slop isn't inside the box?

Lol no. But its not just slop its feels like a clicking.

 

[Blazer79]

I have the same problem. I have a drop pitman arm and it has a little bit of play with the box's output shaft. I'm sure this contributes to the death wobble I still experience even though I have ram assist.

I have to look for a rebuild kit for my steering box, so I can replace at least the output shaft and if possible, the worm gear which also has a little play. If not I'll have to buy a new box and drill and tap the hydro assist holes again.

About the clicking. Years ago I had that clicking. It was not in the steering box, it was a cracked frame. So you might wanna check there too.

 

[DieselWarrior]

About the clicking. Years ago I had that clicking. It was not in the steering box, it was a cracked frame

Uh Oh.

 

[pauly383]

On A Bodies thats a wear item anyway , you replace it when you rebuild the front end . My Chevelle needs one too . All the catalogues have them

 

[4X4HIGH]

On A Bodies thats a wear item anyway , you replace it when you rebuild the front end . My Chevelle needs one too . All the catalogues have them

The reason it's a wear item on a car is the fact it has a joint that is part of the arm and non replaceable.

 

[pauly383]

64-72 A body arm

Taper and the splines get worn .

 

[Stomis]

Ok I'll get a replacement from speedway then.

Is an 86 G body a metric arm?

 

[pauly383]

Oh , you got a newer 442 . For some reason its easier to get the older ones new . Speedway motors has selct take offs for 40 bucks . Metric is a yes .

 

[Stomis]

Oh , you got a newer 442 . For some reason its easier to get the older ones new . Speedway motors has selct take offs for 40 bucks . Metric is a yes .

Thank you sir.