What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Steering arm questions

SUPER'BURB

SUPER'BURB

1/2 ton status
Joined
Jan 9, 2005
Posts
927
Reaction score
4
Location
Mountain House, Ca.
So I bought my '90 'burb, started working on it right away and haven't driven it much. What I did notice though is that the steering isn't anywhere near as good as my '73 was. It isn't even close lock to lock left and right and it has quite a bit more play also. No death wobble thank goodness.

Sorry for the long ramble to real question.. Is this the right steering arm (or is this the pitman arm?) or is it stock? I have 5" of lift and the front axle is 1 1/2" forward (via zero rates).
Steering was an issue before zero rates though.

Any other thoughts are welcome also.
Thanks in advance.:waytogo:

CAM00073.jpg

CAM00074.jpg
 
Last edited:
That is a stock pitman arm, the "steering arm" is the one on the knuckle.

Having the axle moved forward will shorten the drag link (adjustable link between pitman arm and steering arm) creating more bump steer from stock push / pull steering. As for the lock to lock range of motion, look at the drag link adjustment (you'll probably find DRE's bottomed out inside the adjuster sleeve).
 
Thanks, should I be running a dropped pitman arm or raised steering arm? Or is stock fine for my lift height?

IIRC I cut the drag-link down to keep it from bottoming out in the sleeve. You think that was a bad idea?
 
At 5" of lift I'd say you need some corrective steering parts. You do want a little downward slope on the drag link like factory so I'd only get a dropped pitman arm (2" iirc) or a block to go under the arm (3"). A lift arm is going to give 4" which might be a fizz too much.

Trimming the drag link ends isn't a horrible thing but the shortened overall length of the drag link is probably where some of your steering issues are coming from.

With the axle moved forward, your best option is crossover steering but I realize it's not exactly cheap.
 
The standard raised steering arm that is for 4" of lift is what you need. That extra inch from the easy inches won't really make a difference with the new arm. Should work just fine.
 
Thanks guys.
I'll snap a pic of the steering arm tonight and post it up so you can tell me if I have a raised arm yet or not.
 
It's been a while since I've seen my stock one. The more I look at yours I'm thinking it looks a little higher than stock but not as high as the "standard" one I mentioned above.
Hopefully someone else will chime in
 
Definitely a raised arm. A stock arm spirals downward below the mounting studs.
 
Okay, here's a question.
Can get the tires nice and straight, undo the pitman arm at the box, center up the box by spinning the steering wheel and just hook the pitman back up?

I know crossover is the way to go but I think I'll be going dana 60 down the road and would like to keep my swaybar.
 
No the pitman arm is keyed so it only goes on in one position. Adjustment is typically done via the drag link.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom