Pitman arm question need help asap
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Pitman arm question need help asap
Does anyone know what the ball joint looking thing is at the end of the pitman arm?
Looks like this:
Mine looks loose and the only way I know to replace it is with a whole new pitman arm. Can anyone tell me if there is a part (and what its called) I can replace it with? I hate to spend 50 bucks when the pitman arm is fine just the ball joint at the end is going bad.
I really need it by tonight.
Looks like this:
Mine looks loose and the only way I know to replace it is with a whole new pitman arm. Can anyone tell me if there is a part (and what its called) I can replace it with? I hate to spend 50 bucks when the pitman arm is fine just the ball joint at the end is going bad.
I really need it by tonight.
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ok so that is a tie rod end? I didn't know that. Its loose around the rubber and is causing some slack and I figure its MUCH worse if this falls off and I have NO steering control. If one outer tie rod end went you still have control of one wheel and can usually get to the side of the road. My outer tie rod ends are tight. I am buying a new steering stabilizer shock to help out. This should take care of a large amount of slack in my steering. (I don't have too much but on 33s anything makes a difference) I need to replace or rebuild my gearbox but its not too bad and I just need to drive it tomorrow.
Post Fiend
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From: Kasson, Minnesota
I should clarify. I would be the tie rod or drag link that connects to the pitman arm. Either way, it sounds like you need to replace it. Remember, steering stabilizers sometimes just cover up major problems with steering and things can tend to get worse without you knowing until it's too late and something bad happens.
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From: Near Los Angeles
Save the $ and don't get the steering stabilizer. Just replace the tie rod end. Put a mark on threads where it was set at before you unthread it. Have the truck sitting on the ground so the wheel doesn't turn. Install new as the old, using old with mark as guide.
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I want to know if you can remove the drag link or the tie rod end (whatever its called) from the pitman arm. I don't want to replace the pitman arm to get that part.
"bucks77ford: Remember, steering stabilizers sometimes just cover up major problems with steering and things can tend to get worse without you knowing until it's too late and something bad happens. "
I want to replace that part and the steering stabilizer then the ONLY thing that will need work is the gearbox. Other than that everything will be tight. I am just driving to an off road outing with my 4x4 club and its only one day and mostly off road. I wont drive it much until I rebuild that steering gearbox (even though its not too bad). The biggest thing I'm trying to correct is when you hit a dip in the road it drags me in that direction. I assume that is from the fact that the stabilizer is REALLY bad. I mean it is doing NOTHING.
"bucks77ford: Remember, steering stabilizers sometimes just cover up major problems with steering and things can tend to get worse without you knowing until it's too late and something bad happens. "
I want to replace that part and the steering stabilizer then the ONLY thing that will need work is the gearbox. Other than that everything will be tight. I am just driving to an off road outing with my 4x4 club and its only one day and mostly off road. I wont drive it much until I rebuild that steering gearbox (even though its not too bad). The biggest thing I'm trying to correct is when you hit a dip in the road it drags me in that direction. I assume that is from the fact that the stabilizer is REALLY bad. I mean it is doing NOTHING.
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I think I am going to try that but I plan to replace the stabilizer (its only 30.99). My truck is sitting on 33/12.50 tires and I know the stabilizer is going to help.
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YES That is exactly what I am saying. I want to know if that stud is like a ball joint and pressed in or is it permanent? Do they go bad? When I turn the wheel back and forth the rubber boot moves. If it was an outer tie rod end I would consider it bad.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Kasson, Minnesota
You'll need a pickle fork tool to separate the end from the pitman arm. You don't have to remove the pitmarm or replace it.
http://www.thepartsbin.com/cartools/...le_fork-d.html
that is just for illustration. You can get them much cheaper than that.
You may be able to just pound it out though with a hammer. If you are replacing than you don't have to worry about screwing up the threaded shaft and then the new one just pushes through.
http://www.thepartsbin.com/cartools/...le_fork-d.html
that is just for illustration. You can get them much cheaper than that.
You may be able to just pound it out though with a hammer. If you are replacing than you don't have to worry about screwing up the threaded shaft and then the new one just pushes through.
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From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
If the joint on the pitman arm in the pic has play you have to replace the pitman arm. The rod that attaches to it is a solid piece of steel with a tapered hole for the ball and socket joint on the pitman arm to attach so replacing the rod would not help play in the joint.
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So the joint is attached? The picture is an example not the exact part that fits my truck. I have a 76 F100 4x4 with power steering. It may not be bad. It may just be doing what its supposed to and I am just worrying over nothing.
REALLY the problem I want to fix is when I hit a dip in the road on the right tire it drags the truck right if I hit a dip in the road on the left tire it pulls the truck left. I just figured if I could replace this part it might help eliminate this problem. I don't have a problem on a nice smooth blacktop but I usually don't drive on nice roads.
REALLY the problem I want to fix is when I hit a dip in the road on the right tire it drags the truck right if I hit a dip in the road on the left tire it pulls the truck left. I just figured if I could replace this part it might help eliminate this problem. I don't have a problem on a nice smooth blacktop but I usually don't drive on nice roads.
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From: Waterloo IL
So the joint is attached? The picture is an example not the exact part that fits my truck. I have a 76 F100 4x4 with power steering. It may not be bad. It may just be doing what its supposed to and I am just worrying over nothing.
REALLY the problem I want to fix is when I hit a dip in the road on the right tire it drags the truck right if I hit a dip in the road on the left tire it pulls the truck left. I just figured if I could replace this part it might help eliminate this problem. I don't have a problem on a nice smooth blacktop but I usually don't drive on nice roads.
REALLY the problem I want to fix is when I hit a dip in the road on the right tire it drags the truck right if I hit a dip in the road on the left tire it pulls the truck left. I just figured if I could replace this part it might help eliminate this problem. I don't have a problem on a nice smooth blacktop but I usually don't drive on nice roads.
I have a 1977 F-150 4x4 so I think our trucks are pretty similar. One thing I am thinking of doing on mine is replacing the inverted Y steering with the 78/79 style T steering. On our trucks with the inverted Y steering when the suspension is compressed it toes the front wheels out, on the 78/79 style this does not happen, both wheels stay straight ahead. That could be part of the pull over bumps you are describing??
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I want to do that as well but I was afraid I would have to replace the knuckles to do so. I have seen a few at the local u-pull salvage yard that look nice. I figured I could just replace the tie rod ends and have a good setup. I just don't want to replace the knuckle.