I'm getting ready to reassemble my front suspension and have a question about installing the pitman arm. I had the steering gear rebuilt and converted to a fast-ratio box, but the shop did not reattached the pitman arm to the gear. The CSM describes removing the pitman shaft nut and using Puller J-5504 to remove the pitman arm; but I didn't find any explanation about reassembly other than a torque spec of 180-210 lb/ft. for the pitman nut. Do I need a special tool to reinstall the pitman arm or do i just tighten the nut to pull the pitman arm onto the shaft and stop when the torque wrench hits 180 lb/ft.?

 

That's what I'd do.

 

X2. Other than a torque wrench capable of going to 180 ft-lbs, no special tools are required. Naturally, be sure the box is centered when installing the pitman arm and connecting the center link. Once I have everything in place and snugged, I just let the box rotate to the internal stop and then torque the nut.

 

x3. Getting the pitman arm back on is the easy part.

- Eric

 

Thanks for all the quick replies and good advice. I think I'll wait to torque the pitman nut until after I've install the spindles and steering arms so the force will be borne by the steering arm stops and not the steering gear box.

 

Am i doing something wrong ? it seems to be taking a lot of effort to fully seat the pitman arm.

 

Somewhere around 180-210 ft/lbs on the pitman nut.

 

I recently did this and the pitman arm does not pull up to the end of the splines. Torque it to spec and you're good. My torque wrench goes to 150 ft-lbs so I torqued it that far then used the breaker bar and pulled as hard as I could with my legs braced against the passenger tire to give it a bit more torque.

 

When it's on all the way, about a thread or two of the shaft should be coming out past the nut.

Just make it really f&#%in' tight and you should be good.

- Eric

 

Alan & fun thanks for info, maybe i can get the crate on the road this week.
Gerry