When doing a front suspension rebuild (bushings, ball jouints, tie rods and idler arm) should the pitman arm also be replace. The part store doesn't carry them, they say it is a nonwear item. It appears to be metal to metal, but can they still wear out? It's the original one. If it needs to be replaced is what is the proper way to install it?
Right now the suspension is all original and there is some play in the steering. The rag joint is new. Should this play go away with the new tie rods. If not what is the proper way to adjust the manual steering box. The car has aroung 100k original miles, how long does a steering box last before it can wear out and needs to be replaced?

[This message has been edited by MarkM (edited 01-19-2000).]

The pitman arm can DEFINITELY wear out. I replaced mine along with a quick ratio POWER steering box (2 1/2 turns lock to lock). You can get the parts at firewheelclassics.com (http://firewheelclassics.com) if you don't have a source already. Usually you can tell if you need to replace your steering box because there will be some play in the unit that you won't be able to adjust out when you attempt a front end alignment. Steering response is greatly affected by your caster and camber front end alignment settings. I suggest the following:

Set Toe-IN at 1/16"
Caster on left wheel +2 1/2 degrees
Caster on right wheel +3 Degrees
CAMBER should be -.5 degrees

With these setting steering is VERY responsive and the car tracks very straight.

OK???

69'er

That's exactly correct regarding the caster split BUT it is set up that way on purpose to allow for the crown in the road on the highways and if you don't think a pitman arm can't wear out then you live in a fantasy world. What MOST of us are trying to do here is share REAL WORLD experiences and it appears you are trying to tell us what you think.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!!



[This message has been edited by sr71bb (edited 01-23-2000).]

It sure does wear-out. Like the idler arm, a sloppy pitman arm can cause cause of front-end wandering. D&R Classics has a $60 one (for a power box anyway) without a grease fitting on the joint end, that is about $20 cheaper than National Parts Depot part. Getting the pitman arm off the steering unit is a breeze with a puller, but busting the joint away from the center link can be a real pain. I couldn't bust the joint apart with the proper fork until I put the whole center link into a vise. There was just too much give with it still mounted in the car.
If there is a lot of play you can jack up the car and push the driver side tire in and out and watch the pitman arm joint at the center link. However, if there is just a little bit of play, you almost need to undo the idler arm and both tie rod ends so that you are only dealing with the pitman joint connected to the center link. Then you can tell how much slop the pitman joint has. My guess is that if your car has the original Pitman arm you will have to bust the joint in a vise like I just described.
I've adjusted my power steering box before by loosening the keeper nut on the top front protruding bolt that has the allen hole in it. You only want to make 1/4 to 1/2 turn adjustments at a time between checking the play back and forth. If you tightened the center allen bolt too tight you will definitely notice the friction on your first test drive.
Happy putt-putt!

this is a good question,i'am doing a complete rebuild of the front suspension,upper and lower ball joints,inner and outer tierods,and so on....i have the pitman arm too....car had alot of play,still doing so will let you know http://www.camaros.net/forum/wink.gif.

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[URL=http://hometown.aol.com/dagwould1/
68 Camaro

I don't see how the pitman arm can wear out. It's just a bar with a hole at each end. If the drag link stud doesn't come loose and elongates the hole or the retaining nut come loose and wears out the splines, it should last forever.

Also, with caster split, that would tend to make the car steer to the left.

Larry

The drag link is the female...the pitman arm has the stud at the end...and this can wear out....

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Steve McCorry - Central Ohio Camaro Club
'69 Camaro RS/SS-350 - Daytona Yellow
'95 Camaro Z-28 - Sebring Silver