red head box problem
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Junior User
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red head box problem
The new box wasn't set so tires would be straight wnen I received it. so I counted the revolution on the steering wheel side. Turn it back to center. Here the problem is the Pittman arm will not go on. If I turn the arm were it will go on the tires will be turning not straight. I doubled checked the box make sure it was in the center. I turned the steering wheel tell it stop and counted the turn back the other way. Then turn turn back to center. Same results arm will not go on so tire will be going straight. Could they have it out of time from red head? Hope y'all understand what I'm talking about.Randy
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2013
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From: SoCal
When I needed to replace my pitman arm, there were several variations of spline configuration, 32 spline and 36 spline. I have the 36 spline, but then I found out that there's a 36 spline +, and a 36 spline X. The + and the X refer to the location of the 4 gaps in the splines in relation to the front/rear of the truck. You may have gotten an X output shaft while you have a + pitman arm or vise versa. With the steering wheel centered, where are the gaps in the splines? Now check the pitman arm.
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Junior User
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The gaps on the arm fall in between gaps on the box. My old box the 2 gap pointed straight front to back. New one around 45deg off. Dealer only place you can buy one? Why can't they make thing simple. Thanks.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2010
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The new box wasn't set so tires would be straight wnen I received it. so I counted the revolution on the steering wheel side. Turn it back to center. Here the problem is the Pittman arm will not go on. If I turn the arm were it will go on the tires will be turning not straight. I doubled checked the box make sure it was in the center. I turned the steering wheel tell it stop and counted the turn back the other way. Then turn turn back to center. Same results arm will not go on so tire will be going straight. Could they have it out of time from red head? Hope y'all understand what I'm talking about.Randy
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Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: North of Greenville
I don't like being the bearer of uncomfortable news, but if he (R.E.M.) did not specify which of the two spline configurations he needed, then it's really not Redhead's problem (unless, of course, they sent something contrary to his specifications).
This is true even if he didn't know he needed to specify it, because it always boils down to the purchaser needing to know what he/she needs to purchase before making the purchase. Some suppliers won't help with that decision-making process at all while others will go out of their way to help, but it's still the buyer's responsibility.
This is true even if he didn't know he needed to specify it, because it always boils down to the purchaser needing to know what he/she needs to purchase before making the purchase. Some suppliers won't help with that decision-making process at all while others will go out of their way to help, but it's still the buyer's responsibility.
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Joined: May 2014
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From: Lake Hartwell, GA
Pete is dead on here. I know that Redhead requires you inform them if you need a 32 tooth vs a 36 tooth box. If you don't say anything, they assume that you need a 36 tooth.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2010
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I don't like being the bearer of uncomfortable news, but if he (R.E.M.) did not specify which of the two spline configurations he needed, then it's really not Redhead's problem (unless, of course, they sent something contrary to his specifications).
This is true even if he didn't know he needed to specify it, because it always boils down to the purchaser needing to know what he/she needs to purchase before making the purchase. Some suppliers won't help with that decision-making process at all while others will go out of their way to help, but it's still the buyer's responsibility.
This is true even if he didn't know he needed to specify it, because it always boils down to the purchaser needing to know what he/she needs to purchase before making the purchase. Some suppliers won't help with that decision-making process at all while others will go out of their way to help, but it's still the buyer's responsibility.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Douglassville, PA
I am not familiar with the ins and outs of the steering box (and I wouldn't mind if it stayed that way) but everything is not adding up here with everyone's observations.
1) If it was a spline count issue (36 vs 32) would the Pittman arm even go on?
2) The Brad indicates that there are two variations of the 36 spline set up.
3) If I was the one selling the merchandise I would not do any guessing on which variation was being shipped. That way nobody could blame me for a mix-up. I have ordered plenty of stuff over the internet and if I don't choose a size or color for my shirt or anything else it gets kicked back to finish selecting.
Now if the options were E99 or 99.5 through xxx and wrong selection was made I would consider that would be the buyer's fault.
One other question...did you remove the Pittman arm altogether and put it back on upside down?
1) If it was a spline count issue (36 vs 32) would the Pittman arm even go on?
2) The Brad indicates that there are two variations of the 36 spline set up.
3) If I was the one selling the merchandise I would not do any guessing on which variation was being shipped. That way nobody could blame me for a mix-up. I have ordered plenty of stuff over the internet and if I don't choose a size or color for my shirt or anything else it gets kicked back to finish selecting.
Now if the options were E99 or 99.5 through xxx and wrong selection was made I would consider that would be the buyer's fault.
One other question...did you remove the Pittman arm altogether and put it back on upside down?
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,286
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From: North of Greenville
I went back and reread Brad's initial post, and his comments are that there are variations on the Pitman arm, and not the steering box.
Walleye Hunter... you ask a good question, but the Pitman arms I'm familiar with only have one orientation due to the bend in the arm and the difference shaft diameter fits on each end. Then again, I don;t have a 4x4, so I'm not sure if its the same or not.
Walleye Hunter... you ask a good question, but the Pitman arms I'm familiar with only have one orientation due to the bend in the arm and the difference shaft diameter fits on each end. Then again, I don;t have a 4x4, so I'm not sure if its the same or not.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 868
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From: SoCal
The variations are on both the pitman and the steering box output shaft. On a 36 spline, there are orientation gaps every 9 splines. On a 32 spline those gaps are every 8 splines. On top of that, some vehicles had those gaps in a + configuration and some in an X configuration. The OP's issue is his pitman arm is a + and the box he got from Redhead is an X. With the steering wheel straight, his pitman arm is 45 degrees off. There just isn't enough adjustment in the drag link to correct it. FWIW, when I was looking for a new pitman arm, none of the online sites made any distinction. Luckily I called a local shop and they schooled me about the differences.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 868
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
It might be that simple. I wonder if there are different length pitman arms for different applications, i.e. 2wd, 4wd, F150, van.... Or maybe ford just felt like screwing with us.