Pitman arm - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

taylorbg · 10-29-2014, 10:15 AM

I am replacing all the steering parts on my front end. Do I need a drop pitman arm? I would rather not spend the $115 if I do not have to. Below is a picture of my truck and a picture of the existing pitman arm. I have ordered all Moog lower and upper ball joints, upper, lower, inner and outer tie rods ends, and adjustment sleeve.

I am also going to get a Leaf spring polyurethane bushing set.

Is there anything else I should replace while I am in there?

1972 4x4 Suburban

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sj...l/k10-suburban

k5xjfiles · 10-29-2014, 04:33 PM

If you feel the angle is bad....which it does not look bad to me.....no sense replacing it.

franken · 10-29-2014, 08:14 PM

If you don't have a big lift no. It that 4-6"?
Pics come out better if the sun's behind you.

Mike C · 11-05-2014, 08:05 PM

I replaced mine on the Jimmy because it was just worn out after 300k plus miles. If you can tighten the pinch bolt and it doesn't move up and down like mine did when turning the wheel, it should be good to go.

backwoodsK20 · 11-15-2014, 12:37 PM

Is one required for a 4-6" lift? even to be on the safe side? I have the same question about my build, and I won't mind dropping ~$130 if it's the better way to go.

Mr. 250r · 11-15-2014, 06:01 PM

Its usually just required when the angle is no longer "level" per se i am not sure where its going to come in at exactly in terms of lift size but your pitman arm angle isn't really bad as stated you would probably need the smallest possible drop otherwise its going to push it past level. From the looks i think a 1-2in drop would probably put it at level not sure how much that would help though.

Bigdav160 · 11-16-2014, 09:32 AM

I'd buy one. I think I only paid $60 from Summit for a raised steering arm. Even with a 2" lift my Suburban had pretty good amount of bump steer.

backwoodsK20 · 11-19-2014, 05:12 PM

Wait, doesn't the raised steering arm accomplish the same thing? Reason I ask is most companies offer this as an option with their lift kits for ~$95 and i'm wondering if I could just do that.

bmchevy1979 · 11-19-2014, 05:38 PM

On my 74 I know different body style but same setup I used the drop pitman arm for 2"-3", the raised steering arm 4"-6", and both for 6"-8" and beyond that I would recommend crossover steering

bmchevy1979 · 11-19-2014, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backwoodsK20

Wait, doesn't the raised steering arm accomplish the same thing? Reason I ask is most companies offer this as an option with their lift kits for ~$95 and i'm wondering if I could just do that.

The raised arm is has more of a change than the drop pitman arm it moves the tierod from almost touching the axle tube to it being 3"-4" from the tube the arm only gains about an 1 1/2"-2"

obijuan · 11-22-2014, 09:13 PM

You do not need anything.

72shorbox · 11-25-2014, 01:23 PM

I would recommend replacing the u-joints in the front axle shafts while you have the front torn down replacing the ball joints.

10-29-2014, 10:15 AM	#1
taylorbg Registered User Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Rockwall, Texas Posts: 47	Pitman arm I am replacing all the steering parts on my front end. Do I need a drop pitman arm? I would rather not spend the $115 if I do not have to. Below is a picture of my truck and a picture of the existing pitman arm. I have ordered all Moog lower and upper ball joints, upper, lower, inner and outer tie rods ends, and adjustment sleeve. I am also going to get a Leaf spring polyurethane bushing set. Is there anything else I should replace while I am in there? 1972 4x4 Suburban http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sj...l/k10-suburban Attached Images

10-29-2014, 04:33 PM	#2
k5xjfiles Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Stokesdale, NC Posts: 100	Re: Pitman arm If you feel the angle is bad....which it does not look bad to me.....no sense replacing it. __________________ 72 K5/10/20 Hybrid 350, 465/205 44/14 bolt 35s, Detroit locker 89 XJ Pioneer, 4.5" 32s. 98 ZJ DD. Parting..87-01 Cherokees I bore throttle bodies-PM me for details!

10-29-2014, 08:14 PM	#3
franken Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somewhere Posts: 3,052	Re: Pitman arm If you don't have a big lift no. It that 4-6"? Pics come out better if the sun's behind you.

11-05-2014, 08:05 PM	#4
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,709	Re: Pitman arm I replaced mine on the Jimmy because it was just worn out after 300k plus miles. If you can tighten the pinch bolt and it doesn't move up and down like mine did when turning the wheel, it should be good to go. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

11-15-2014, 12:37 PM	#5
backwoodsK20 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario Posts: 26	Re: Pitman arm Is one required for a 4-6" lift? even to be on the safe side? I have the same question about my build, and I won't mind dropping ~$130 if it's the better way to go. __________________ 1968 Chevrolet K20 4x4. 292 c.i., SM420 4 speed, Rockwell t-case, & '78 14-bolt FF diffs w/ Detroit Lockers. Built to hunt, fish and trail ride for days.

11-15-2014, 06:01 PM	#6
Mr. 250r Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: freeburg, illinois Posts: 885	Re: Pitman arm Its usually just required when the angle is no longer "level" per se i am not sure where its going to come in at exactly in terms of lift size but your pitman arm angle isn't really bad as stated you would probably need the smallest possible drop otherwise its going to push it past level. From the looks i think a 1-2in drop would probably put it at level not sure how much that would help though. __________________ 1987 Chevy V30 - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=573854 1988 IROC-Z Camaro - 305/T5 T-Top 1989 GMC V35 - Marbolo Express http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=596850 1991 V2500 Suburban Silverado - Sold 1991 V2500 Suburban Scottsdale - Big Nasty http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=497423 2001 Ram 3500 5.9 H.O NV56 EC DRW - Sold 2003 1500 Silverado 2004 Ram 3500 5.9 H.O NV56 CC DRW - Sold 2005 Silverado 2500HD 6.6/ZF6 CC LWB

11-16-2014, 09:32 AM	#7
Bigdav160 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Klein Texas Posts: 3,852	Re: Pitman arm I'd buy one. I think I only paid $60 from Summit for a raised steering arm. Even with a 2" lift my Suburban had pretty good amount of bump steer. __________________ My Classics: '72 K20 Suburban + '65 Dodge Town Wagon '72 Corvette Roadster +'67 Corvette Roadster '73 Z-28 Camaro '63 Ford SWB Uni Pickup '50 Ford Coupe

11-19-2014, 05:12 PM	#8
backwoodsK20 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario Posts: 26	Re: Pitman arm Wait, doesn't the raised steering arm accomplish the same thing? Reason I ask is most companies offer this as an option with their lift kits for ~$95 and i'm wondering if I could just do that. __________________ 1968 Chevrolet K20 4x4. 292 c.i., SM420 4 speed, Rockwell t-case, & '78 14-bolt FF diffs w/ Detroit Lockers. Built to hunt, fish and trail ride for days.

11-19-2014, 05:38 PM	#9
bmchevy1979 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Visalia, Ca Posts: 707	Re: Pitman arm On my 74 I know different body style but same setup I used the drop pitman arm for 2"-3", the raised steering arm 4"-6", and both for 6"-8" and beyond that I would recommend crossover steering __________________ <Brandon> 1974 Chevrolet K5 Blazer 350sbc/SM465/NP205, dana44 front, corp 14bolt rear with 4.10s and a powertrax locker, custom rear bumper 400sbc in the works. 1981 GMC C1500 stepside 250i6, 3spd, 12bolt with 3.08s 2.5/4drop on 15x10 with 275/50r15 81 GMC C3500 cab-chassis dually with utility bed 350sbc, Sm465, 14bolt with 4.10s nv4500 getting ready to go in 1979 Chevrolet K5 R.I.P. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=434096 1976 Chevrolet C10 R.I.P. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=434195

11-22-2014, 09:13 PM	#11
obijuan Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: cibolo tx Posts: 1,033	Re: Pitman arm You do not need anything.

11-25-2014, 01:23 PM	#12
72shorbox Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Clinton, ut Posts: 63	Re: Pitman arm I would recommend replacing the u-joints in the front axle shafts while you have the front torn down replacing the ball joints.



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