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

Ackattack · 09-24-2011, 12:21 AM

I got a new power steering gear box and pitman arm for my 69 (no-buck). It has 73+ upper and lower control arms on it. I got the whole front suspension from a donor 72 suburban that obviously had been swapped in there as well. So I don't know what is what. The partnumber that I removed is 6272424.

So tonight I got to put in my new pitman arm and gearbox. Well come to find out the pitman arm that I installed (ordered it for a 73 C-10) is shorter than the one I removed. The partnumber that I removed is 6272424.

Now, when I steer all the way to the left, the spindle doesn't quite hit the stop. Turning right it does. Looking around at stuff it looks like the tie rods could be adjusted so that the left spindle would hit the stop, but I didn't want to mess up my alignment. But having the shorter pitman arm, is it already messed up?

Should I install a 72 pitman arm, or just stay with the 73? What do y'all think?

turp mcspray · 09-24-2011, 10:11 AM

The shorter arm will just make the ratio faster.

OhOneWS6 · 09-24-2011, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turp mcspray

The shorter arm will just make the ratio faster.

That is backwards. The shorter arm decreases the travel distance and will make the ratio slower. You need the longer pitman for a 72. It should resolve your problem.

Ackattack · 09-25-2011, 07:39 PM

well I bit the bullet and got another new pitman arm for a 72. Looks like it will work fine and I'm back in business.

**LostMy65** · 01-22-2012, 11:05 PM

So the 72 pitman arm is longer than the 73 and yet the 72 arm fits the 73 box?

**LostMy65** · 03-22-2012, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LostMy65

So the 72 pitman arm is longer than the 73 and yet the 72 arm fits the 73 box?

Anyone?
Posted via Mobile Device

OldCreek · 03-22-2012, 11:13 AM

That appears to be true. I bought a 72 pitman and it fits the 80's steering box I bought and mounted on the 72 frame with the 72 tie rods/etc. ( I bought the 80's box for the metric fittings for the 5.3 I installed.)

Whether the 73 pitman is shorter I can not comment.

**LostMy65** · 04-24-2012, 07:27 AM

It would be nice to confirm if the 72 pitman arm is longer. Longer pitman arm equals better turning radius.
Posted via Mobile Device

**LostMy65** · 09-05-2015, 12:49 PM

Has anyone ever confirmed if the 72 pitman arm is longer?

09-24-2011, 12:21 AM	#1
Ackattack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Valley Center KS Posts: 3,525	Pitman arm question I got a new power steering gear box and pitman arm for my 69 (no-buck). It has 73+ upper and lower control arms on it. I got the whole front suspension from a donor 72 suburban that obviously had been swapped in there as well. So I don't know what is what. The partnumber that I removed is 6272424. So tonight I got to put in my new pitman arm and gearbox. Well come to find out the pitman arm that I installed (ordered it for a 73 C-10) is shorter than the one I removed. The partnumber that I removed is 6272424. Now, when I steer all the way to the left, the spindle doesn't quite hit the stop. Turning right it does. Looking around at stuff it looks like the tie rods could be adjusted so that the left spindle would hit the stop, but I didn't want to mess up my alignment. But having the shorter pitman arm, is it already messed up? Should I install a 72 pitman arm, or just stay with the 73? What do y'all think? __________________ Project Bruiser: 68 Pro-Touring C-10 5.3L / 4L60E Project Ironhide: 97 GMC Crew Cab 4x4 Cummins SOLD: '69 GMC 1/2T SWB TBI'd: Project No Buck Assembly Manual Index Sign up Thread!!! Factory Service Manual Index

09-24-2011, 10:11 AM	#2
turp mcspray Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Rapid City South Dakota Posts: 2,359	Re: Pitman arm question The shorter arm will just make the ratio faster. __________________ Turp Mcspray New life for an old 2wd, farm blazer http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=505987 My Blazer build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342299

09-25-2011, 07:39 PM	#4
Ackattack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Valley Center KS Posts: 3,525	Re: Pitman arm question well I bit the bullet and got another new pitman arm for a 72. Looks like it will work fine and I'm back in business. __________________ Project Bruiser: 68 Pro-Touring C-10 5.3L / 4L60E Project Ironhide: 97 GMC Crew Cab 4x4 Cummins SOLD: '69 GMC 1/2T SWB TBI'd: Project No Buck Assembly Manual Index Sign up Thread!!! Factory Service Manual Index

01-22-2012, 11:05 PM	#5
LostMy65 But Found Her 25yrs Later! Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Oregon City, Oregon Posts: 10,482	Re: Pitman arm question So the 72 pitman arm is longer than the 73 and yet the 72 arm fits the 73 box? __________________ I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035

03-22-2012, 11:13 AM	#7
OldCreek Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central Coast California Posts: 1,026	Re: Pitman arm question That appears to be true. I bought a 72 pitman and it fits the 80's steering box I bought and mounted on the 72 frame with the 72 tie rods/etc. ( I bought the 80's box for the metric fittings for the 5.3 I installed.) Whether the 73 pitman is shorter I can not comment. __________________ 1972 K20 Suburban 5.7/700r4/NP205 Dana 44/H052 Sold 1972 C10 5.3L/4L60E 12bolt 5Lug - Sold 1971 K5 Blazer 6.0L LQ9 4L60E NP205 Dana 44/H052!!! 1970 K3500 1ton CrewCab 8.1L/Allison1000/NP205 Dana 60/14B!!!! - Sold 1984 K10 SWB 7.4L/4L80e/NP208 Corp 10/12 bolt Sold 1988 V30 CCLB 7.4L/TH400/NP205/Dana 60/Dana 70/3.73!!! (Sold) 2003 K2500HD 8.1/Allison1000/NP263

04-24-2012, 07:27 AM	#8
LostMy65 But Found Her 25yrs Later! Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Oregon City, Oregon Posts: 10,482	Re: Pitman arm question It would be nice to confirm if the 72 pitman arm is longer. Longer pitman arm equals better turning radius. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035

09-05-2015, 12:49 PM	#9
LostMy65 But Found Her 25yrs Later! Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Oregon City, Oregon Posts: 10,482	Re: Pitman arm question Has anyone ever confirmed if the 72 pitman arm is longer? __________________ I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035



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