Pitman Arm Broke
 

I had just driven 30 miles at 65mph from work and stopped at the local notary to transfer a title. As I was backing in I heard a little clunk in the front end of my 01 1500HD. The steering seemed strange so I got out to see if a ball joint or tie rod broke. Turns out I didn't have any steering and the pitman arm broke at the shaft. The garage said they have never seen one brake that wasn't in a collision. It made my stomach turn a little as I thought about what would happen if it broke on the highway minutes earlier. Hit the brakes and pray I guess. Anybody ever have this happen?

Re: Pitman Arm Broke
 

Wow , Never seen or heard of it . Some times you have to consider yourself lucky and glad your ok .

I would have to look things over good to see if something is bent and flexing things . Do you know for sure the truck has not been in a accident . Could have been damage prior . Is it 4wd . Maybe some one went stump jumping .

We need pictures of that .

Re: Pitman Arm Broke
 

No way to know for sure. I bought it in 2015 with 175K, it has 197k now. I have yearly inspections, and they’ve never said anything about underneath aside from a ball joint. I’ll post a picture later this weekend.

Re: Pitman Arm Broke
 

My '00 2500 LD had a broken pitman arm when I bought it. The stud was sheered off in the drag link. I bought the truck and snow plow with 270K on it from a landscaping company. I really do not know what the cause was and just assumed wear and neglect. I swapped it in about an hour in the parking lot and drove it home.

Re: Pitman Arm Broke
 

I have seen them worn and sloppy, but never broke one.

Re: Pitman Arm Broke
 

Here are the pictures

Re: Pitman Arm Broke
 

That ain't wear. A worn part would drop the link off the worn out ball not shear it off.
Is that an original GM part or substandard Chinese floor sweepings?

Re: Pitman Arm Broke
 

i'm not sure if its original GM or not