I am in the process of installing the Toyota power steering system ( obtained from CPP) and have a question. After mounting the steering gear, I carefully followed the centering instructions and installed the pitman arm to be exactly perpendicular to the ground, as specified in the instructions and in various posts on this forum. Upon installing the drag link (new from Midfifty), I found that the pitman arm was now no longer perpendicular to the ground but at an approximately 5 degrees tilt toward the rear. While this seems small, it resulted in the steering gear being 1/3 turn off from center with the wheels straight forward. I just put on new springs, bushings, kingpins so everything is tight. I am installing the drag link with the spring loaded ( jacks under axle). Have others found it necessary to install the Toyota pitman arm slightly tilted to the rear to maintain centering of the steering? Seems to me I should pull the pitman arm and install after checking location of drag link with spindles/ wheels straight forward. Opinions would be appreciated. Thanks<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
Brian<o></o>

 

Are you sure you got the stock drag link, not the one for the down and forward springs (~ 1 1/4" longer than stock).

Here's the way I set mine: With the drag link attached to the steering arm and pitman arm (making sure the drag link is pointed in the right direction and the internals are inserted in the correct order, they are different at each end), and adjusted properly. Remove the pitman arm attaching nut and loosen but don't remove the pitman arm.
1. Make sure the front wheels are pointed straight ahead. (easy way, put a straight 6 - 8' long 2x4 flat against the side of the tire near one end, mark the center of the wheel on the 2x4 and measure the distance between the far end of the 2x4 and the frame. Move the 2x4 to the other wheel and do the same being sure that the center of the wheel mark lines up with the center of the wheel. Adjust the wheels as necessary and repeat until the two measurements are equal.)
2. Without moving the wheels, remove the pitman arm from the gear box.
3.Center the box by turning the steering wheel all the way in one direction. Mark the top of the wheel with a piece of tape. Turn the steering wheel completely in the other direction, counting the number of full turns and fractions of a turn. Turn the steering wheel back 1/2 the number of turns.
4. without moving the front wheels or gearbox, slip the pitman arm back onto the gearbox splines. Replace the mounting nut snug.
5. The pitman arm should be vertical. Move the tape to the top of the steering wheel and check that it turns the same number of turns in each direction. If the pitman arm is more than a spline tooth or two from vertical when the steering wheel is centered something is wrong.
6. If all is good, tighten the mounting nut very tight and add a drop of red locktite if you aren't going to remove the arm again or before driving it.

 

I have what I believe is the same problem on my '49 and it's been concerning me. I'm fairly inexperienced in this area. It's like the drag-link wants to be shorter. Suspension is all stock '49 and fresh. This shot is with the front wheels set stright ahead.

It wasn't clear to me why the Pitman Arm had to be perp to the ground but if the experts say so, I won't argue.

 

Dawg,

I always knew you were a tooth off!!

My steering is a little goofy as I mounted my steering box up ahead of the axle but the centering principles are still the same. I basically followed the steps AX described.

Bobby

 

I don't want to Hi-Jack this thread if it strays from helping F100BGS. I just noticed that I had a similar problem and thought it was worth an inquiry.

I'm starting to wonder if I don't have physical damage although it wasn't obvious to me during sandblast. I guarantee that if I move the Pitman Arm straight down perpindicular while the wheels are stright, the ball will miss the drag-link hole by a good inch or more.

I dug up the old Pitman Arm and realized it appears to be badly bent backwards......... So now I'm really confused

Thanks for letting me jump in.

 

Pitman arm at right angle to the drag link is more important than perpendicular to the ground as long as it's close. That position guarantees the wheels will steer the same amount in each direction for the same rotation of the steering wheel.

 

Thanks Chuck. Suggests that I need to throw the engine back in so I can understand the drag-link angle better ?

Dawgie

 

This is why I ditched my stock drag link and I'm fabricating an adjustable length piece. It's not for everybody, but it sure makes centering the gear and the steering wheel a snap!

 

Thanks for the replies. Per AX’s comments, I’ll plan to pull the pitman arm tonight and install after the drag link is on and adjusted. I suspect that I will only be off a tooth or two from perpendicular. My angle toward the back does look similar but a little less than in E-Dawg’s picture. If the pitman arm is perpendicular, I’m about ½ inch off on the drag link. Thanks again for the help.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>

 

I fabricated my own drag link as well. I basically used the ball mounts and the ends of the toyota drag link and custom made the length I needed.

 

Well LAH-TEE-DAH !!!