Pitman arm vs steering wheel location

Discussion in 'The whoa and the sway.' started by gstewart, Feb 12, 2017.

  1. gstewart

    gstewart Well-Known Member

    I resolved the problem. I moved the bolts in the rag joint from one side to the other. I positioned the steering wheel where it should be. I rotated the rag joint & the shaft of the gear box so that from its centre so that i could turn 1 1/2 turn counter clockwise to stop and clockwise 1 1/2 to stop. Reinstalled the gear box & made the connections. The problem appears seems to be resolved. now I will prime the steering pump & gear box tomorrow.
    Wrestling with 32 lbs in close quarters is a major pain.
     
  2. philbquick

    philbquick Founders Club Member

    x2

    You still need to be sure the steering wheel and box are both straight with each other. I realize 999 out of 1,000 don't bother do this.
     
  3. gstewart

    gstewart Well-Known Member

    When I packed it in for the day this afternoon, the alignment of steering wheel & pitman arm looked good. Tomorrow, after I reprime the ps pump & gear box, reinstall the inner fender liner and install the rallyes, i will drive the car. I may have to adjust the steering wheel, etc. Whatever required will be done.
     
  4. CARHEX1

    CARHEX1 Founders Club Member

    I am sorry I was not able to reply sooner. I would be happy to send you another box off the shelf or I would be more than happy to pay for shipping both ways and have you ship the box back to me so that we could check it out if you are not 110% sure the problem is fixed. I thought it might have been the pitman arm 90 deg off. Im sorry for the inconvenience. please let me know if you are 110% ok with the adjustment you did as being the case of the problem. I will do what ever it takes to make it right.


    Hector 626 488 5472
     
  5. gstewart

    gstewart Well-Known Member

    Hector;
    I appreciate your offer and apology, but all is well. I took the GS out for a drive this afternoon.
    I had also installed new swaybar links and reinstalled the fender liner on the driver's side -what a job!.
    Rotating the shaft on the gear box connection to the rag joint, one half turn, resolved the problem. The steering wheel is centred correctly and the front end (wheels) are right on the money.
    I would heartly recommend u to overhaul another steering box if i had another car. Tkx again.
     
  6. TrunkMonkey

    TrunkMonkey Well-Known Member

    I am sorry I am on the other side of the country, because if I were in SoCal, I would honored to shake your hand, Hector and invite you to lunch.

    Having been out of the "car scene" for 40 years, I am somewhat disappointed in several encounters I have had with some people in the vendor world and even individuals. And I have met some very good and fine folks on both sides as well.

    But it has changed a great deal.

    And it is good to see there are still a good many people that have heart and soul in this and the "brotherhood" is still alive.

    My apologies for the hijack of the OP's thread, but I wanted to express my appreciation.:cool:
     
  7. Marv Marksberry

    Marv Marksberry Well-Known Member

    FYI, The 90 degree flats allow for the Pitman Arm to be relocated every 90 degrees until everything is centered / aligned.

    Pitman 1.JPG

    Pitman 2.JPG

    Pitman 6.JPG

    Marv.
     
  8. CARHEX1

    CARHEX1 Founders Club Member

    I try to give the same customer service I would expect If i were spending my hard earned money with somebody. I am easy to deal with and do not want to do anybody wrong. I stand behind my parts used or rebuilt. All that I ask as a seller is that I be given the chance to make things right if a person is not happy. My word means more to me than profit. However I have had to put my name on the line in the past when I felt I was being scammed but in the end it all worked it self out and the true colors were shown.

    Hector
     
  9. CARHEX1

    CARHEX1 Founders Club Member

    Thank you for that I am happy you were able to resolve the problem. So how was the drive?

    Hector

     
  10. gstewart

    gstewart Well-Known Member

    The drive was GREAT! The car had not been on the road for almost 2 months.
    Come April 1, we will be pulling the engine to repair gasket leaks, maybe replace lifters, and repaint under the hood & suspension.
    Hope it's good summer.
     
  11. mltdwn12

    mltdwn12 Founders Club Member

    OK, based on this discussion I have a few questions. I also bought a box form Hector in May and I'm finally getting around to install it this weekend (if it doesn't rain!) So to get everything to match up this was my though process;

    1) Put the car on jacks and center the steering wheel by turning both ways and split the difference to get he wheels straight ahead.
    2) Mark the steering shaft and rag joint for straight up.
    3) Note the position of the pitman arm
    4) Pull the steering link from the pitman arm
    5) Unbolt pitman arn from box (how tights that bolt going to be?
    6) Unbolt the rag joint
    7) Disconnect power steering hoses
    8) Clean up the mess from step 7 :)
    9) Disconnect the box from the frame
    10) Install new box to frame
    11) turn the box both ways at the input shaft to determine center (assuming I can turn by hand?)
    12) Install pitman arm in position noted in step 3, torque value?
    13) Install rag joint
    14) Hook up steering link
    15) Hook up power steering hoses
    16) repeat step 8
    17) Fill pump, idle car, rotating wheel to bleed (?) add more oil
    Is this a path to success?
     
  12. knucklebusted

    knucklebusted Well-Known Member

    You will definitely need a pitman arm puller. The torque on the big bolt isn't too bad. 120 is what I cranked it down to and checked it since, no issues.

    The pitman arm cannot be adjusted other than the know 90 settings so straight ahead on the box will line up with one of the 4 blind splines. You will have to take it as it comes and adjust with steering wheel, tie rod ends as needed for small variations. Mine was only one tooth off on the steering wheel end of the shaft. The other was 180 out and had to reverse the rag joint. Others say you can move the intermediate shaft but I've not personally done that.
     
  13. racenu

    racenu Well-Known Member

    i also installed a quick ratio box from hector and my steering wheel is out about 10 degrees now, i will be moving the steering wheel one spline or so first. i was glad to finally replace the rebuilt piece of crap i bought from pp years ago, thanks Hector.
    i was somewhat confused by reading suggested fixes, i thought the pitman arm had master spline, the ragjoint connector had a master spline and the rag joint had a large and smaller bolt so it couldnt be installed wrong? Apparently i probably installed mine wrong but got luck only being out a few degrees. Gord
     
  14. gstewart

    gstewart Well-Known Member

    With whe steering wheel centred that should also have centred the wheels straight ahead and placed the old box & pitman arm at centre.
    Punch mark the pitman arm to the gear case also as a reference to approx location with new gear.
    To make it easier, drop the whole link assembly including the tie rods before removing the box
    Attach the pitman loosely and rotate the steering shaft on the gear box, both clockwise & counterwise, with vice grips, and centre the pitman arm in position on the new box.
    points 12 & onward.
    As mentioned torque on the big nut is 120 ft-lbs.
     
  15. mltdwn12

    mltdwn12 Founders Club Member

    Thanks guys! Of course this is only my second weekend off since Christmas and I was planning to get this job done, but it's freakin' raining in the Valley of the Sun :( I could get the front of the car in the garage (rest of the space is taken up with fiberglass molds) but I just don't feel like being outside off and on when it's raining. NHRA races next Friday, maybe back at it Saturday :)
     

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