I've had my 1974 F100 2WD with power steering for about 6 months and have started to accumulate parts as I plan to restore the truck over time. A few days ago, one of the tie rods let go so I replaced both tie rods, the drag link, adjusting sleeve, shocks and pitman arm. I measured and compared the complete setup (drag link, tie rods, adjusting sleeve) to the one previously on the truck to keep everything as close as possible but when I got it assembled, there is an issue with the pitman arm and the sleeve/tie rod. They are too close together and will be rubbing if I drive the truck.

I tried checking the alignment using a couple different methods to make it relatively close but that hasn't made any difference with the proximity of the components. There is a shop less than 1/4 mile from my house so I took it there to have it aligned. They said no problem over the phone and then called me after they brought it in the shop to tell me the truck is 15 years older than their master technician and they can't do anything with it. They did manage to scratch my new parts though. So using their logic, I need to find someone at least 50 years old to work on it..... I found a more reputable shop but they are 20-30 minutes away and a week out. I also have noticed the front tires seem to have a positive camber which wasn't there before. I usually do my homework before replacing things but this was unexpected and I needed to use the truck so I went ahead and replaced everything.

Hopefully someone will see a simple mistake and I can fix it but I'm hoping it's not that the wrong part(s) were sent and I have to reorder something.

Thanks for any advice.



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That doesn't look like the correct pitman arm. It should be stamped PWR STG. Like this one 1972-79 Ford F100 F150 F250 2WD used power steering pitman arm D2TA-3590-BA | eBay

 

Thanks for the reply - I checked it again against the one that came off and they are identical. It's possible that the one I pulled off is also wrong so I could have two incorrect parts. I'll see if I can find dimensions online to make sure they are correct

 

Here is a pic of my truck. All I can say is if the pitman arms you have don't have that D2TA casting number and say PWR STG on them they aren't Ford parts and are likely aftermarket. Could be the PO bought some kind of kit to increase the steering rate by using a longer pitman arm. Or maybe they used the wrong pitman and just bent stuff to get clearance.

 

I agree and your pitman arm setup is definitely higher than mine which is making it impossible to for the tie rods to rub. I've been looking online for different pitman arms after your earlier reply. Here's what I found:

This looks exactly like the one on my truck right now:
https://www.cjponyparts.com/proforge...79/p/10310050/

LMC has them but the picture isn't an actual pitman arm:
https://www.lmctruck.com/1973-79-for...drive-f100f150

autozone looks similar to cjpony:
https://www.autozone.com/suspension-...134/695343_0_0

this one has the stamping you mentioned (it's used) and it looks like the one i have as well
https://www.ebay.com/itm/17558327630...Bk9SR7jm9rvvYQ

I didn't see one on wild horses or dennis carpenter

Is there another site that I can get a new part from that would be correct with the stamping you mentioned?

 

Try this salvage yard. They show several but do not say if 2wd,4wd, manual or power. Don't get ripped off on e-bay or some aftermarket site. These things are plentiful and usually sell between $35 an $75. Just make sure they know exactly what you are looking for.
A & B Auto Salvage, Inc. | Griffin, GA (abautosalvage.net)

 

Thanks - i'll check it out.

After I got home, I pulled the new steering parts off the truck and compared them again to the older ones. They seem to be a spot on match but when I put the old parts back on the truck, they fit perfectly.... They are centered in the I-beams and there is plenty of room between the pitman arm and the tie rod assembly.

 

Add some pictures of the rest of the setup. I'm trying to wrap my head around why if your parts match up, your having issues. It might be an issue closer to the wheels on either side or both?

 

I swapped out the new parts for the old ones but here are the pics of the entire system with the old parts.

 

I see that your tie rod end where fastened to the drag link is twisted to the upward side. I know it's a ball type joint, I know what I'm gonna say will not change the length between the two ends of the tie rod, but if you loosen the two clamps on the sleeve and rotate that end, it'll maybe move the tie rod away from the contact with the pitman arm/drag link point .It's hard to judge the effect of the forged in angle, just a thought. After getting it all straightened out, the sleeve will need to be adjusted but the tie rod ends should be held steady, & not allowed to twist back out of position. As you steer right or left, the arc of the pitman arm will increase clearance. You only need a little clearance at straight ahead.

Depending on the way the outer end is set at the steering knuckle, it might just twist as a whole without loosening the sleeve clamps.

 

I understand what you mean - I just got home and it's nearly 9pm so I'll try it tomorrow and see what happens.

Thanks for the suggestion

 

I tried it last night and it seems like would work but I couldn't get it to line up with the pitman arm. I don't see the difference in the old/new parts but I ended up ordering parts from LMC so we'll see what happens when they arrive.

 

That last post was supposed to be submitted on 4/15 but for some reason it didn't work. I got the parts from LMC today and put them on. They fit without any issues... When I put them side by side with the other new parts that didn't work, I could see the difference more clearly even though it's subtle. Although frustrating, I'm glad it just ended up being the wrong part(s). Thanks for all your help.