Pitman arm

[olddog67]

Im trying to tighten up my steering a little bit, having someone move the tire back and forth and me under the car (wheels off the ground) it seemed like the nut on the steering box was loose, tried to tighten it and it still slopped around. So went to Napa to order new idler and pitman arm but they cant seem to find the pitman arm number. He alos check Moog & Rock Auto while I was there to no avail.
After some googling on here I see the pitman can be hard to come by. My car is a 67 charger 383 with PS. Anyone know a part number I can give to them to get it?

 

[1967coronet440]

https://m.summitracing.com/search/part-type/pitman-arms/year/1967/make/dodge/model/charger

https://m.summitracing.com/search/part-type/idler-arms/year/1967/make/dodge/model/charger

 

[olddog67]

Here is a picture of the pitman arm with the nut off. There is about 1/16" to 1/8" before the arm would be flush to the end of the steering shaft. Should this not go up to be tight when the nut is put on so the nut is tight to the box itself?
Seems to me the nut was tight to the arm but not to the shaft on the box

 

[PurpleBeeper]

Hey Olddog, I "think" there should be a fat washer that goes in there to take up that slop. Maybe you can find some hardware store washers & modify them. For example, you might have to take a smaller washer & drill out the hole larger or a bigger washer (with a big hole already) and cut down the outside of it (if there's a clearance problem). You might have to stack up two. Otherwise....maybe you can find a cheap pitman or idler arm from another car & just rob that washer off.... or get it from a junkyard?

Everyone else.... am I dreaming about that washer or remembering correctly?

 

[1967coronet440]

Hey Olddog, I "think" there should be a fat washer that goes in there to take up that slop. Maybe you can find some hardware store washers & modify them. For example, you might have to take a smaller washer & drill out the hole larger or a bigger washer (with a big hole already) and cut down the outside of it (if there's a clearance problem). You might have to stack up two. Otherwise....maybe you can find a cheap pitman or idler arm from another car & just rob that washer off.... or get it from a junkyard?

Everyone else.... am I dreaming about that washer or remembering correctly?

If I'm remembering correctly additional to the washer there is a foam gasket/washer that's in there as well....

 

[PurpleBeeper]

If I'm remembering correctly additional to the washer there is a foam gasket/washer that's in there as well....

Yeah, that does sound right. Maybe to reduce squeaks?

 

[Cranky]

Wasn't the foam gasket on top of the arm? Helped keep dirt off of the lip seal iirc.

Once the nut is off, does the PA more even more? It shouldn't.....it really is supposed to be tight once the nut is tightened. It goes on snug and usually have to use a puller to get it off once the nut had been tightened and removed.

 

[1967coronet440]

Wasn't the foam gasket on top of the arm? Helped keep dirt off of the lip seal iirc.

Once the nut is off, does the PA more even more? It shouldn't.....it really is supposed to be tight once the nut is tightened. It goes on snug and usually have to use a puller to get it off once the nut had been tightened and removed.

Ya I think you're right

 

[olddog67]

Id dosent really move anymore than it did with the nut on. I suppose it is possible it was changed by the PO and not tightened enough to draw it in tight?

 

[furyus]

The pitman arm doesn't go all the way up to the box. The splines on the shaft seem to be slightly wider at the top, than the bottom, so the arm is sort of wedged in place. Like a pipe fitting. And there is a lock washer that belongs on there. I only remember the foam on the idler arm.

 

[miller]

Id dosent really move anymore than it did with the nut on.

As mentioned, pitman arm is on splined shaft, so tightening it will only go to the end of the splines...that's the gap you get. Is the arm loose on the splines? Or, both the arm, and the shaft, together have movement?
If both, it's the steering box end play that's 'loose'. Tells in the service manual, how to adjust that.

 

[oldbee]

Furyus is right there's a lockwasher on the shaft also.

 

[AMX364]

If the pitman arm shaft is moving, no adjustment will help. If the pitman arm is loose after removing the nut and lock washer, not tool needed, that will be bad also. Talk to a good rebuilder and plan to ship it out. Lee or Firm Feel have good results.

edit: Pitman arm tools use very extreme amounts of force needed to removing the arm, normally.

 

[mobileparts]

And, if you need the stock replacement PITMAN ARM itself -- I have them brand new -- can ship it to you --
Or, will have them, of course, at Chryslers @ Carlisle.......
They are "Obsolete" through all regular channels...............