Almost Bought the Farm
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From: Long Island, NY
Almost Bought the Farm
And i really dont want this to happen again. Last night the shaft that my pitman arm bolts to broke and I lost my steering. If it were not for the large pile of snow that stopped me I would have hit a telephone pole. What I would like to know is why this happened. Is it the lift that I put in this truck or was it all the beating I did on the stock pitman arm to get it off that caused this.
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From: West Texas
That's exactly why I hate working on lifted trucks. I don't want the liability that goes along with it. The lift, those tires, the wheels being much farther out than stock, beating it, all have a lot to do with it. It's not stock anymore and is having stress put on it that the original parts were never designed for.
I'm sure glad you are ok though. That crap happened on a 65 mustang of mine once. 2 days after a local shop rebuilt the front end the pitman arm fell out on I40. Thank got the speed limit was only 55 back then. They didn't tighten the nut and forgot the cotter key on it.
I'm sure glad you are ok though. That crap happened on a 65 mustang of mine once. 2 days after a local shop rebuilt the front end the pitman arm fell out on I40. Thank got the speed limit was only 55 back then. They didn't tighten the nut and forgot the cotter key on it.
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Wyoming
That's exactly why I hate working on lifted trucks. I don't want the liability that goes along with it. The lift, those tires, the wheels being much farther out than stock, beating it, all have a lot to do with it. It's not stock anymore and is having stress put on it that the original parts were never designed for.
I'm sure glad you are ok though. That crap happened on a 65 mustang of mine once. 2 days after a local shop rebuilt the front end the pitman arm fell out on I40. Thank got the speed limit was only 55 back then. They didn't tighten the nut and forgot the cotter key on it.
I'm sure glad you are ok though. That crap happened on a 65 mustang of mine once. 2 days after a local shop rebuilt the front end the pitman arm fell out on I40. Thank got the speed limit was only 55 back then. They didn't tighten the nut and forgot the cotter key on it.
I like lifts, dont get me wrong, lol, but when they get a bit up there, I get a bit nervous for that reason. I dont know what caused yours to fail, just very happy you didnt eat it in the accident!
In high school, I bought a 76 high boy, put a 3" body lift, and 6" suspension lift on it, topped off with some cepek 44's.. I blew the drivers knuckle all the time, sheared bolts, busted the king pin, it was a nightmare to keep going. I even welded the dang thing with no luck.. There is extra stress on those parts. I suggest that if going that high and big, new is better! New aftermarket parts in those areas are critical. They were designed with that in mind!
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Joined: Oct 2009
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From: AZ
I have seen this more with Fords for some reason?
it is the 3rd I have read of recently
look hard at the break ,, it looks like there is some rust inside the shaft ? indicating it was broken for a while and finally sheard all the way ?
most I have read about had some drama at an earlier point in time
it is the 3rd I have read of recently
look hard at the break ,, it looks like there is some rust inside the shaft ? indicating it was broken for a while and finally sheard all the way ?
most I have read about had some drama at an earlier point in time
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From: AZ
I hear these are nice and that the pitman shaft being broken won't effect the core charge
Red-Head Steering Gears, Seattle WA - Red-Head Steering Gears Home
Red-Head Steering Gears, Seattle WA - Red-Head Steering Gears Home
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: San Ramon Ca.
Wow close call for sure. Glad you came out OK. I can see why It happened.
Give this guy a call. He might have a few ideas to keep it from happening again.
Give this guy a call. He might have a few ideas to keep it from happening again.
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From: Crapy southern New Jersey
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From: Lady Lake FL
Just a thought, is there any possiblity of the drag link/ tie rod assembly hitting anything. This may put an additional strain on shaft. As far as the lift causing this I don't believe so (not an engineer); however, tire size (and weight) could put more of a strain on the shaft.
Paul
Paul
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Posting Guru
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From: Long Island, NY
Just a thought, is there any possiblity of the drag link/ tie rod assembly hitting anything. This may put an additional strain on shaft. As far as the lift causing this I don't believe so (not an engineer); however, tire size (and weight) could put more of a strain on the shaft.
Paul
Paul
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Posting Guru
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From: Long Island, NY
Yea that too. It looks like I might have damaged it when I was trying to get the old pitman arm off. I broke two pullers trying to get it off. Then I had to go to the get a bigger hammer method.
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From: Long Island, NY
I have been cursing the snow since the first flake fell this winter now I am thanking God for it. But I still wish the snow would go away and my truck would just stop breaking.
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From: Phill Mo
dam man you was lucky, i have seen a few brake there, like they said must have been a crack in ther lettin water in cause of the rust and all, hmmm now you got me wondering on my truck, wonder if you can see a crack by naked eye?? it broke about an in up from pitman right??? keep me posted on this man , glad your ok
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1st thing that came to my mind with the bigger drop pitman arm.........did he use a hammer removing the old one.
Typicaly I've never seen the shaft break, I've always seen the pitman arm crack and open up at one of the splines when turning oversized tires and so on.