When do you need to replace the pitman arm?

If your steering wheel feels loose, you loose the ability to steer, or the car starts wandering on the road, you may need to replace the pitman arm. 1. Poor steering 2. Wandering to the left or right while on the road

Where is the pitman arm on a car?

The pitman arm is part of the steering component in your vehicle. It is connected to the sector shaft and moves in a circular motion with the help of the ball joint.

Why is it important to have a good pitman arm?

It is important you have your pitman arm in good working condition because poor steering can be hazardous to you and those around you. Keep an eye out for the following symptoms of a bad or failing pitman arm. 1. Poor steering

What are the symptoms of a bad pitman arm?

Not only can it have lots of play, it can be highly inaccurate or seem to have a mind of its own while you are driving down the road. This can be especially dangerous during hazardous weather conditions or on a busy highway. 3. Inability to steer When the pitman arm completely fails, you will lose all steering in your vehicle.

What to do if your pitman arm is not installed?

If you’re doing both the idler arm and the Pitman today, this is where you will appreciate the fact that you have not installed the idler arm yet. If you can’t get the Pitman arm out, drop the idler arm down by removing the 2 bolts that attach it to the frame. Whew! Put some antisieze grease on the steering box’s tapered bolt.

What do Pitman arms and idler arms do?

Idler Arms and Pitman Arms are part of your steering system that links your steering box to the center link, and then on to the hub assemblies. The Pitman Arm, also known as the “steering arm,” is the main player while the idler arm supports the other side and allows the proper movement to take place when you turn the wheel.

What’s the best way to index a pitman arm?

The safest bet is to index the pitman in the straight forward position and mark the steering sector shaft with a yellow “parts marking” pen, which you can get from NAPA and other sources.

How big is the nut on a pitman arm?

Lower the truck down on the jack stand and remove the wheel. You have to remove the big nut that holds the Pitman arm to the steering box. In this case, it was a 1-5/16 nut that was torqued to 180 ft lbs. I used a 3/4″ drive socket and a big mother breaker bar.

How does the pitman arm work in a car?

The pitman arm is part of the steering component in your vehicle. It is connected to the sector shaft and moves in a circular motion with the help of the ball joint. This motion causes the wheels to move left or right, depending on which way the steering wheel is moved. It is important you have your pitman arm in good working condition…

How do you remove pitman arm from steering shaft?

Take your Pitman arm puller and remove the arm from the steering shaft. It will release from the shaft and drop down some, but the arm is still being held up by the centerlink. Next, remove the cotter pin and the large nut that holds the Pitman to the center link. Use a pickle fork or a puller to separate the Pitman from the centerlink.

What’s the difference between Pitman and idler arms?

What happens if you have a bad pitman arm?

It is time to have your pitman arm looked at. A bad or failing pitman arm can cause your vehicle to not respond appropriately when you turn the wheel. Not only can it have lots of play, it can be highly inaccurate or seem to have a mind of its own while you are driving down the road.