Confused about pitman arm

[Tyler Rea]

I have a 76 short wide on 33s. Thing handles terribly. Months ago my pitman arm started to clunk and move when I would turn the wheel. I have a 4 inch lift and I do have a drop steering arm so I thought that taking the stock pit arm off of my parts truck would be okay and it was for a while but started to clunk again. A buddy of mine owns a shop in town and I showed him and he said I need a drop pitman arm but everything I've read online tells me you only need to get one of the drop steering components to make it work. Do I need a drop pit arm too or could the Steering arm be too short? When I bought the truck it had the lift and the steering arm on it already so I'm not sure what the drop on the steering arm is

 

[Honky Kong jr]

I have a 76 short wide on 33s. Thing handles terribly. Months ago my pitman arm started to clunk and move when I would turn the wheel. I have a 4 inch lift and I do have a drop steering arm so I thought that taking the stock pit arm off of my parts truck would be okay and it was for a while but started to clunk again. A buddy of mine owns a shop in town and I showed him and he said I need a drop pitman arm but everything I've read online tells me you only need to get one of the drop steering components to make it work. Do I need a drop pit arm too or could the Steering arm be too short? When I bought the truck it had the lift and the steering arm on it already so I'm not sure what the drop on the steering arm is

At 4” a raised steering arm on the knuckle should be plenty. Is your frame cracked at the steering box?

 

[hirschdalechevy]

With a 4 inch lift you only need a raised steering arm. look at your drag link , you want it to be as flat as possible , if it is flat thats as good as it gets and check everything else as well.

 

[Rusty Nail]

"Handles terribly" compared to what? Is the steering sloppy?
How is the gas mileage?

 

[75gmck25]

On a stock height truck the drag link between the pitman arm and the steering arm is nearly level horizontally.

When you install a spring lift kit it will raise the pitman arm and lower the steering arm, so the drag link gets more of an angle. You can then buy a dropped pitman arm, and/or raised steering arm to get it back in alignment. http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/steeringcorrection.htm

Bruce

 

[Craig 85]

If you need new conical washers for the steering arm, it's GM 3965138. You'll need 3. Nuts are not included.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

"Handles terribly" compared to what? Is the steering sloppy?
How is the gas mileage?

Good point. A lot of people hop into these old trucks and are shocked when they don’t handle like a Jetta. Not saying that’s you, OP, but it happens.

 

[Rusty Nail]

FWD is a very different feel than RWD.

 

[Honky Kong jr]

FWD is a very different feel than RWD.

I would of used a better example the a German designed, Mexican built turd. I think I know what was in his mind when he posted that. A MK5.....yuck lol I’d of used an A4 Quattro Sport, black trim not silver as my example lol

 

[Rusty Nail]

.......okay.

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

Yuck I can agree with 100%. You’re right, though. It’s the first thing that came to mind because I had one. I probably could have used a better example, you’re right. A Chevy Celebrity would have been a higher quality, more luxurious example.

 

[Honky Kong jr]

Yuck I can agree with 100%. You’re right, though. It’s the first thing that came to mind because I had one. I probably could have used a better example, you’re right. A Chevy Celebrity would have been a higher quality, more luxurious example.

I’m just bustin your chops.

 

[Tyler Rea]

The frame isn't cracked at the steering box and the drag link i believe is pretty close to level if I remember correctly. I'll add a picture of the drag link after I post this.

 

[Tyler Rea]

"Handles terribly" compared to what? Is the steering sloppy?
How is the gas mileage?

It handles terribly compared to anything I've ever driven. I've driven a few of these trucks and it's by far the sloppiest one I've driven yet. Also the gas mileage is terrible I live about 20 minutes out of town and will put $20 in every other day if I only use my truck for going to town and home

 

[Craig 85]

Have you checked the caster? If you are too verticle, it will wander and not want to stay centered. After a turn, does the steering wheel want to re-center itself?