Pitman/idler arm location at neutral? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

epfatboy · 06-01-2018, 05:14 PM

Pulled all of my steering linkages for a rebuild on my 74 C10 and can't figure out location of Pitman and Idler arm at neutral steering location. Replaced manual steering gear with Power steering gear/pitman if that makes a difference.

Anybody got a picture so I can figure it out?

I tried pitman straight ahead but center link won't reach idler

bennylava · 06-01-2018, 05:51 PM

You got the bar that connects to the idler arm looped around underneath. It goes over the top. I just had the same problem when I rebuilt my front end. Also, you may have to loosen the castle nut on the pitman arm and let it come down as far as it can, in order to get the other end of the bar to go onto the idler arm. Its a bit of a pain, but once you have the bar routed over the top instead of under, it will work. But don't take the bar off the pitman arm if you don't have to. I can see where that could turn into a real pain.

epfatboy · 06-01-2018, 11:12 PM

I stripped all the steering and suspension from my he truck. The idler only installs one way so I know I got that right and it self aligns.

The tierods are not on yet so I’m just looking ok’ing to install the pitman arm in the right indexed spot.
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**kwmech** · 06-02-2018, 01:21 AM

Are you sure the center link is not in backwards? We see that here quite often. The inner tie rod nut should be facing forward

epfatboy · 06-02-2018, 09:44 AM

Here is a pic of what I’m doing.

Pitman and idler are aligned straight toward the front of the truck.

Center link installed so that tierod nut toward the front of truck

Tierods seem to be too short? They are the same length as to ones I took off. I have plenty of adjustment to lengthen but want to make sure I have this going together properly first.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/WIHbmSZrzmueRyWk2
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epfatboy · 06-02-2018, 11:13 AM

Okay thank god no one replied yet....
I had the pitman and ldler pointing the wrong direction!!!! Sorta feel like a dope! I have done countless steering rebuilds on a number of classic rides and I totally boneheaded this one!!

That will teach me to not take pictures before disassembly!

Pitman and idler now installed and pointing towards the rear of the vehicle!
Posted via Mobile Device

epfatboy · 06-02-2018, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epfatboy

Okay thank god no one replied yet after seeing the pictures....
I had the pitman and ldler pointing the wrong direction!!!! Sorta feel like a dope! I have done countless steering rebuilds on a number of classic rides and I totally boneheaded this one!!

That will teach me to not take pictures before disassembly!

Pitman and idler now installed and pointing towards the rear of the vehicle!
Posted via Mobile Device

Posted via Mobile Device

06-01-2018, 05:14 PM	#1
epfatboy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Barrington nh Posts: 112	Pitman/idler arm location at neutral? Pulled all of my steering linkages for a rebuild on my 74 C10 and can't figure out location of Pitman and Idler arm at neutral steering location. Replaced manual steering gear with Power steering gear/pitman if that makes a difference. Anybody got a picture so I can figure it out? I tried pitman straight ahead but center link won't reach idler

06-01-2018, 05:51 PM	#2
bennylava Registered User Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Texas Posts: 408	Re: Pitman/idler arm location at neutral? You got the bar that connects to the idler arm looped around underneath. It goes over the top. I just had the same problem when I rebuilt my front end. Also, you may have to loosen the castle nut on the pitman arm and let it come down as far as it can, in order to get the other end of the bar to go onto the idler arm. Its a bit of a pain, but once you have the bar routed over the top instead of under, it will work. But don't take the bar off the pitman arm if you don't have to. I can see where that could turn into a real pain. Last edited by bennylava; 06-02-2018 at 07:53 AM.

06-01-2018, 11:12 PM	#3
epfatboy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Barrington nh Posts: 112	Re: Pitman/idler arm location at neutral? I stripped all the steering and suspension from my he truck. The idler only installs one way so I know I got that right and it self aligns. The tierods are not on yet so I’m just looking ok’ing to install the pitman arm in the right indexed spot. Posted via Mobile Device

06-02-2018, 01:21 AM	#4
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,628	Re: Pitman/idler arm location at neutral? Are you sure the center link is not in backwards? We see that here quite often. The inner tie rod nut should be facing forward

06-02-2018, 09:44 AM	#5
epfatboy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Barrington nh Posts: 112	Re: Pitman/idler arm location at neutral? Here is a pic of what I’m doing. Pitman and idler are aligned straight toward the front of the truck. Center link installed so that tierod nut toward the front of truck Tierods seem to be too short? They are the same length as to ones I took off. I have plenty of adjustment to lengthen but want to make sure I have this going together properly first. https://photos.app.goo.gl/WIHbmSZrzmueRyWk2 Posted via Mobile Device

06-02-2018, 11:13 AM	#6
epfatboy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Barrington nh Posts: 112	Re: Pitman/idler arm location at neutral? Okay thank god no one replied yet.... I had the pitman and ldler pointing the wrong direction!!!! Sorta feel like a dope! I have done countless steering rebuilds on a number of classic rides and I totally boneheaded this one!! That will teach me to not take pictures before disassembly! Pitman and idler now installed and pointing towards the rear of the vehicle! Posted via Mobile Device



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