Installing the pitman arm on a power steering box, question.
cdnpont said
Jul 8, 2020
Yesterday I installed the Pittman arm on my manufactured Saginaw box.
I used red locktite on the new nut along with the lockwasher. Used my big electric impact gun to run the arm up onto the splines. Gave it a good hit.
Now it appears the box has some very slight play off center. It had zero play previous to the arm install. Maybe it can be adjusted out later?
Have I damaged it by using the impact? I've done them before this way with no issue.
seventy2plus2 said
Jul 8, 2020
I'm guessing you've possibly damaged it with the vibration of the impact gun. Also, do you mean to say your REmanufactured Saginaw box?
I just slid the pitman arm onto the splines, put on the washer & nut, and tightened it down.
gtodrive said
Jul 9, 2020
seventy2plus2 wrote:
I'm guessing you've possibly damaged it with the vibration of the impact gun. Also, do you mean to say your REmanufactured Saginaw box?
I just slid the pitman arm onto the splines, put on the washer & nut, and tightened it down.
Exactly what Clint said. Locktite is not needed and never turn the arm against either of the steering gear's extreme left or right turn positions. If you do, the force against the gear can damage the steering gear internal parts. The gear is not intended to absorb that kind of force, especially from an impact wrench. Tighten the nut to proper torque specs holding the arm in the center, so no force is put on the gears. I had to learn this the hard way too.
cdnpont said
Jul 9, 2020
Oops, Yes, Remanufactured Clint. Quicker ratio.
Hmm. What I suspected...In my favor, I do know that the gear was not in the lock position, it was centered when I tightened it, so any force should have been transmitted into turning the input shaft. As for the vibration, thats probably not good.
I guess I'll find out when it's all up and running. Provided it doesn't leak it should be a big improvement anyway on the stock box. If not, then it's redo once again. Thanks guys.
OURWAGON said
Jul 9, 2020
cdnpont wrote:
Yesterday I installed the Pittman arm on my manufactured Saginaw box.
I used red locktite on the new nut along with the lockwasher. Used my big electric impact gun to run the arm up onto the splines. Gave it a good hit.
Now it appears the box has some very slight play off center. It had zero play previous to the arm install. Maybe it can be adjusted out later?
Have I damaged it by using the impact? I've done them before this way with no issue.
THE BOX WILL HAVE SOME PLAY WHEN OFF CENTER, AND ZERO PLAY AT HIGH POINT
WHEN CENTERED UP.
cdnpont said
Jul 9, 2020
Thanks Keith. That makes me feel a little better.
cdnpont said
Jan 9, 2021
As a footnote to the thread; On the road, the box is fine, feels great and has no leaks. But I'd never slam the nut on with a gun again.
4SPEED427 said
Jan 9, 2021
I don't think I've ever seen any of the guys at the dealership install a pitman arm any other way than with their mega powerful impacts.
Mike Ward MB said
Jan 10, 2021
Im glad I didnt have to remove the pitman arm from the manual steering box in my Nova when I changed up to power steering. Not sure how that would have gone!
As I recall, the new power steering box came with a new pitman arm and that thing slid on and off relatively effortlessly. I centred it and installed it on the bench, tightened the bolt with a wrench. The friction fit to the steering linkage was a bit more work, but harder to remove than install!
cdnpont said
Jan 10, 2021
3 times and I've never had any trouble removing the arms.
Using a proper pitman puller and a big impact, one good brap and they've popped right off the taper.
The new box in the 65 got a 69 pitman arm, as I did a full 67 and up steering setup (Akerman fix) on this 65 car.
Yesterday I installed the Pittman arm on my manufactured Saginaw box.
I used red locktite on the new nut along with the lockwasher. Used my big electric impact gun to run the arm up onto the splines. Gave it a good hit.
Now it appears the box has some very slight play off center. It had zero play previous to the arm install. Maybe it can be adjusted out later?
Have I damaged it by using the impact? I've done them before this way with no issue.
I just slid the pitman arm onto the splines, put on the washer & nut, and tightened it down.
Exactly what Clint said. Locktite is not needed and never turn the arm against either of the steering gear's extreme left or right turn positions. If you do, the force against the gear can damage the steering gear internal parts. The gear is not intended to absorb that kind of force, especially from an impact wrench. Tighten the nut to proper torque specs holding the arm in the center, so no force is put on the gears. I had to learn this the hard way too.
Oops, Yes, Remanufactured Clint. Quicker ratio.
Hmm. What I suspected...In my favor, I do know that the gear was not in the lock position, it was centered when I tightened it, so any force should have been transmitted into turning the input shaft. As for the vibration, thats probably not good.
I guess I'll find out when it's all up and running. Provided it doesn't leak it should be a big improvement anyway on the stock box. If not, then it's redo once again. Thanks guys.
THE BOX WILL HAVE SOME PLAY WHEN OFF CENTER, AND ZERO PLAY AT HIGH POINT
WHEN CENTERED UP.
Thanks Keith. That makes me feel a little better.
As a footnote to the thread; On the road, the box is fine, feels great and has no leaks. But I'd never slam the nut on with a gun again.
Im glad I didnt have to remove the pitman arm from the manual steering box in my Nova when I changed up to power steering. Not sure how that would have gone!
As I recall, the new power steering box came with a new pitman arm and that thing slid on and off relatively effortlessly. I centred it and installed it on the bench, tightened the bolt with a wrench. The friction fit to the steering linkage was a bit more work, but harder to remove than install!
3 times and I've never had any trouble removing the arms.
Using a proper pitman puller and a big impact, one good brap and they've popped right off the taper.
The new box in the 65 got a 69 pitman arm, as I did a full 67 and up steering setup (Akerman fix) on this 65 car.