Need steering setup pic

[jackyl9999]

I have a 70 gmc I have been working on. Getting real close just doin the little crap that drives me nuts. I will try to explain my problem as best as possible.

I swapped it to a disc set up and went to hook up my steering box to the steering linkage. But it will not match up. My pitman arm likes about 2 inches to be able to bolt up. The steering box and pitman are the ones that came on my truck. I beleive that the steering linkage is out of a 71. Not too sure because I did not install it.

Is there any difference between 70 and 71 on the steering parts?

Anyone have any pics of a 70 or a 71 so I can compare between my parts?

[JimKshortstep4x4]

The steering linkage is definitely different between the 70 and the 71 but the difference will not show up in a picture. The 71 uses larger tapered fittings but the linkage is close to being the same.

Do you happen to have a manual steering box?

Jim

[jackyl9999]

Ttt

[jackyl9999]

I have power steering.

[JimKshortstep4x4]

Here is a picture of a 72 steering box as it is attached to the linkage (same as 71). I mocked it up for the picture as I am in the process of cleaning and painting the box.

Jim

[myoldchevytruck]

i did the swap from drums to disk brakes (I used all new 72' front end parts) on my 69' Stepside. I picked up a draglink from a 71' (71' and 72' are the same) from the local junk yard for $10 bucks.

[jackyl9999]

Will a 70 model power steering box and pitman arm work with the 71 drag link?

[JimKshortstep4x4]

The 71 drag link will work with the 70 box, but you will need to use the tie rods from the 71.

Was the picture that I posted what you needed?

Jim

[jackyl9999]

Ok here is a pic of my pitman arm. Could it be a manual arm? Can you tell what year model the drag link is by this pic? I'm trying to get this taken care of asap. But its not helping and today is my only day to work on it.


Btw thanks Jim for your info and help so far it is appreciated.

[BAGNDRAGIT]

your drag link is flipped.

do a 180 with it.

[woodwright]

Can you take a bigger picture showing the steering box?

[screamin_c10]

Sorry for the dark pics, The wheels are turned slightly left in this pic and you can see that the arm is inboard of the frame....hope this helps, I'm pulling the box in about an hour to put it on Bessie.

[Pont406]

Did you have problems connecting idler arm?
I just did this swap on my 69 which is similar to 70. I used all 71-72 steering parts. I reused my old 69 gear box.

[BAGNDRAGIT]

ok i was wrong, too early to be answering questions

its setup correctly, pitman looks correct, and you said you used all 71+parts right?

and on my swap i used all 71 parts on a 67 gearbox and all went well.
sorry for the wrong info

[jackyl9999]

I am going to give a review of the parts and the year model so I can remove any confusion.

Truck is a 70
Power steering box is 70- (Came on truck)
Idler arm is 70
Pitman arm is 70
Inner tie rods are 70 ?
Outer tie rods are 71
I am using adapter sleeves for tie rods.
Drag link is a ?


So if I am understanding correctly you can use the 70 box with the 71 steering components. (Drag link,idler arm,etc.) Correct?

So from what I gather I need to pick up a set of 71 tie rods, new sleeves, and a 71 drag link? And it should go together.

Im confuzzed! Or am I?

Here is my pic of the steering box. Best I could get.

[mbgmike]

Don't know if this helps the first pics are for a 1970 and a ps pitman

ACDELCO 45A0045 AND 45A0058

[mbgmike]

1971
right picture is outer

ACDELCO PART 45A0083 AND 45A0095
MOOG ES403L AND ES415RL

[BAGNDRAGIT]

Originally Posted by jackyl9999

I am going to give a review of the parts and the year model so I can remove any confusion.

Truck is a 70
Power steering box is 70- (Came on truck)
Idler arm is 70
Pitman arm is 70
Inner tie rods are 70 ?
Outer tie rods are 71
I am using adapter sleeves for tie rods.
Drag link is a ?


So if I am understanding correctly you can use the 70 box with the 71 steering components. (Drag link,idler arm,etc.) Correct?

So from what I gather I need to pick up a set of 71 tie rods, new sleeves, and a 71 drag link? And it should go together.

Im confuzzed! Or am I?

Here is my pic of the steering box. Best I could get.

you are correct. it sounds like the issue is the drag link. and yes i would recommend doing new 71 inner and outer rod ends

[woodwright]

It looks like the steering box is back too far.

[jackyl9999]

Its in the original mounting spot. I hope thats not it. Hopefully I can find a 71 draglink. I will give the new drag link a shot.

[jackyl9999]

I have posted a WTB on the parts section if anyone has a drag link. I don't think there is any salvage yards around that would have one.

[JimKshortstep4x4]

Before you buy another draglink check out the steering box location as Clint suggested. On my frame the rear upper bolt hole for the steering box mount is 10 3/4" from the upper control arm. On your pic it looks like the box is much closer to the upper control arm.

If the outer tie rods that you have are from a 71-72 and the taper fits the drag link then it is a 71-72. The only difference between the 70 drag link and the 71-72 drag link is the taper holes where the outer tie rods mount. The shape is the same.

Jim

[jackyl9999]

I measured my ps box. Looks close to your measurement. Does anyone know what size the nut is on the pitman arm? I am goin to take it off and take it to a part store and do a compare. I'm thinking it's the pitman arm.

[screamin_c10]

Originally Posted by jackyl9999

I measured my ps box. Looks close to your measurement. Does anyone know what size the nut is on the pitman arm? I am goin to take it off and take it to a part store and do a compare. I'm thinking it's the pitman arm.

The nut is a 36mm, I know I know metric? but it fits, I did this 2 days ago and used a 1/2 drive impact. You will need a pitman arm puller as well...

However, with that being said, I dont think your pitman arm is wrong, I got into the same bind as you have when doing this and was able to figure it all out....so a couple questions....

• Are both knuckles able to turn freely?

• Is the idler arm hooked up properly to the frame and tight?

• Can you push the drag link straight back towards the cab on both ends?

The reason I ask is if the knuckles are turned in (toed in) it will push the drag link forward like you have shown. It is simply the geometry of the setup.

I would try tremoving the outer tie rod ends from the knuckles. turning the wheel until the box is at a full left turn, pull the draglink to that position as well and see if it bolts up. If it does then hook up the outers , center the wheel/box and adjust the sleeves til the wheels are straight enough for the alignment shop.

Its kinda difficult to grow 2 more hands for all this and I found a helper works wonders....

[jackyl9999]

I think that my tie rods being adjusted out to far was the problem. So I will see if I can get it put back together.

Thank you for all the help!!!