Tightening Pitman arm onto steering box "in situ"

[k2orbust]

Boo. That does line up with a wide tooth on the FD500 arm. I'll scrub off the gunk and look closer.

[arctictraveller]

Originally Posted by BajaSportsmobile

Use Loctite Thread Locker and get it as tight as you can - DON'T USE A TORQUE WRENCH - use a cheater and get it AS TIGHT AS YOU CAN.

Thanks for the advice, when you use ALL CAPS, I know your serious. I used a torque wrench on mine, set to the factory specs. Since the wife will be using the van this summer while I'm working, I sure wouldn't want it to loosen up as she would have no idea why the steering was acting funny.


After driving it around for a day or two - TIGHTEN IT AGAIN, it will be loose.

I've only put about 100 miles on it, but I havent' checked it yet. I do wonder though how it can loosen after using Locktite.

The 32 spline FD400 is 45* rotated from being inline - so steering wheel alignment will be off.

My replacement box was identical to the original one, yet my steering wheel is still off a bit. I asumed it had to do with how they re-assembled the box after the rebuild. One other note, my rebuild came fully painted, including both sets of splines. It actually looked like they dipped it there was so much paint. I had to scrape each spline with a screw driver and a wire brush. Had I not noticed, there is no doubt the arm would have come loose quickly as the paint crumbled. Made me wonder about the quality of the rebuild.

Are you having fun yet?

I think everyone has fun learning from and hanging out with you. Thanks again....................

[k2orbust]

I got the new Pitman arm and put it on. Comments in the photos.

[k2orbust]

More installation photos. The plan from here on is to drive the van a bit to see how it feels, retighten the Pitman arm, then get an alignment.

[BajaSportsmobile]

Remember to tighten it again in a few hundred miles.