In the middle of front suspension re-build and brake conversion. I rented a tool to remove my pitman arm, and it took about half a day to remove. Now that I have the replacement pitman arm (from Ricks first gen), I don't know how to get it back on! I tried forcing it up with the pitman arm nut, but its not moving beyond first 1/4 inch. Any tips?

Make sure you're putting it on the right way. May sound simple, but I made this mistake once.

If you can get the nut on it, it's on more then 1/4". The arm itself is about 3/4". If you can get the nut on, use an impact to push it down far enough.



In the middle of front suspension re-build and brake conversion. I rented a tool to remove my pitman arm, and it took about half a day to remove. Now that I have the replacement pitman arm (from Ricks first gen), I don't know how to get it back on! I tried forcing it up with the pitman arm nut, but its not moving beyond first 1/4 inch. Any tips?

hey i havent put a pitman arm on in a very long time but if i remember mine was keyed and the pitman can only go on with the rod end faceing down if you think its going on to hard check both splines for burrs if there good throw the pitman in the freezer leave it there for a few hours or longer it will open the inside diameter you should have enough threads for the nut to start if you use a inpack wrench you definletly need enought threads or it could rip the threads off but you should be fine let us know tony

No, put the arm's hole on an electric kitchen stove burner for a bit to expand it!!

And if your box is off, put it in the freezer overnight to shrink it's end..

I bet everything will just slide right together...

pdq67

I have just went through this changing over to power steering. The pitman arm shaft has master splines. The pitman arm will go in 4 positions 90 degrees apart. The arm should slide well on the shaft if it is clocked correctly. This will allow the nut to be started well on the threads. The manual arm is smaller in the splined area and wont fit. Make sure you have the right one.

Great tips guys. thanks. I have the arm keyed right, but I just realized that steering arm shaft and castle nut are pointing up!!!! LOL....I bought all these parts and not one came with assembly instruction (don't tell my wife I need the instructions). I have the GM assembly manual but some of the illustrations are hard to make out. I'll try it again.

Great tips guys. thanks. I have the arm keyed right, but I just realized that steering arm shaft and castle nut are pointing up!!!! LOL....I bought all these parts and not one came with assembly instruction (don't tell my wife I need the instructions). I have the GM assembly manual but some of the illustrations are hard to make out. I'll try it again.

See, you weren't the only one to make this mistake, lol.

This is what I was refering too, you can have it keyed right, but it can still go on upside down.

Glad you got it.

Also a manual box has a smaller shaft and pitman than a PS box.
The arm should go almost all the way on but not all the way, so the nut retains pressure on the pitman without bottoming out.