Pitman Arm Replacement questions?

DrewMusk · 10-30-2008, 06:29 PM

I want to replace my Pitman Arm and not sure exactly how to go about it.
I have replaced the upper ball joints, stabilizer bolts and bushings, inner and outer Tie Rods, Idler Arm. and there is still some play in the wheels. From side to side, not up and down.
The Pitman arm is the only thing I have not done yet on the steering components. My haines book is rather confusing to me in regard to the Pitman arm. The tie rods where easy once i figured it out. the Idler arm I did in just 1/2 an hour.
Is it better done by a Professional or is it something I can do myself.

VetMXR · 11-03-2008, 08:29 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by DrewMusk

I want to replace my Pitman Arm and not sure exactly how to go about it.
I have replaced the upper ball joints, stabilizer bolts and bushings, inner and outer Tie Rods, Idler Arm. and there is still some play in the wheels. From side to side, not up and down.
The Pitman arm is the only thing I have not done yet on the steering components. My haines book is rather confusing to me in regard to the Pitman arm. The tie rods where easy once i figured it out. the Idler arm I did in just 1/2 an hour.
Is it better done by a Professional or is it something I can do myself.

Drew,

I believe that these vehicles are known for their sloppy steering, at least that is my impression since mine has the same issue. From what I've read, the problem stems from the fabric joint between the steering box and the intermediate steering shaft. The fabric flex's somewhat, giving the truck the sloppy steering feel. I've replaced all that you have and more, and the problem still persists. I had thought about changing the steering box itself, but others have pointed out what they feel is the root cause of the problem (as I have outlined above).

The solution appears to be to replace the intermediate shaft in your Blazer with one from a 1998-1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Jeep GC intermediate shaft uses universal joints instead of the fabric joint, which eliminates the slop.

VetMXR

01cherryreds10 · 11-03-2008, 08:33 PM

That's probably the most useful single post I have ever seen on this forum. Both of you welcome by the way. If you ever do decide to get a new steering box, try and scoop up a ZQ8 box from either the S10 with the ZQ8 option or the Xtreme.

Tim99Zr2 · 11-03-2008, 08:37 PM

i think replacing the pitman arm is a pita for a stock s10. i believe you have to unbolt the steering shaft, unbolt the steering box. swing the box up, and put two bolts back in the box (so its held in place, and not slopping around.)

once that is done, put a pitman arm puller on it, tighten it down. then if you can hit the pitman arm with a hammer, tighten the puller, and repeat.

again, this is how i would do it. if i were in that situation.

raven2510 · 11-04-2008, 06:33 PM

yea you basically got the procedure right...its a huge PITA

Yogi · 11-05-2008, 04:16 PM

If you have a 2wd, the pitman arm is just a lever with holes in each end. Nothing to wear out. The ball joint is in the center link that attaches to it. So before you start work, be sure that you are working on the part that actually wears out.

DrewMusk · 11-12-2008, 01:49 PM

That is what I thought, a big PITA! I just got new tires so now I have to do it soon.

I can see a large amount of wiggle in the Pitman Arm where it attaches to the center link. There is lots of play (when you jack up the wheels) from side to side. Almost nothing up and down. So the ball joint should be good still.

I do not see much play in the box. Ill keep you posted what I find after I replace it. I may not have had to replace the tie rods but I needed the Idler Arm replaced. The tires stopped squeeling on the get on ramps for the highway. I am guessing that has been the problem for a long time. The crazy part is when I engage 4 wheel drive it steers straight and very predictable.

I have most tools and sizes but the Nut on the arm is rather large and don't have it in my tool box that big. Any one know what size it is?

PimpingA1997Jimmy · 11-13-2008, 01:50 PM

I have replaced the Ball Joints idler arms and frotn drive axles
the only thing i need to do still is the Pitman Somone told me i need a special tool for the pitman but not sure if this is true
I am just going to have the mechanic do it becouse i just had surgeyr on my iknee and not going to be working on it for a whyll myself atleast \
but i have drifen a few s-10s blazers and jimmys and have never had mouch a a problem of steering play so not sure where that came up

10-30-2008, 06:29 PM	#1
DrewMusk Registered User Age: 46 Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 6 Location: User is: OffLine	Pitman Arm Replacement questions? I want to replace my Pitman Arm and not sure exactly how to go about it. I have replaced the upper ball joints, stabilizer bolts and bushings, inner and outer Tie Rods, Idler Arm. and there is still some play in the wheels. From side to side, not up and down. The Pitman arm is the only thing I have not done yet on the steering components. My haines book is rather confusing to me in regard to the Pitman arm. The tie rods where easy once i figured it out. the Idler arm I did in just 1/2 an hour. Is it better done by a Professional or is it something I can do myself.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-03-2008, 08:29 PM	#2
VetMXR Registered User Age: 47 Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 6 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Pitman Arm Replacement questions? Quote: Originally Posted by DrewMusk I want to replace my Pitman Arm and not sure exactly how to go about it. I have replaced the upper ball joints, stabilizer bolts and bushings, inner and outer Tie Rods, Idler Arm. and there is still some play in the wheels. From side to side, not up and down. The Pitman arm is the only thing I have not done yet on the steering components. My haines book is rather confusing to me in regard to the Pitman arm. The tie rods where easy once i figured it out. the Idler arm I did in just 1/2 an hour. Is it better done by a Professional or is it something I can do myself. Drew, I believe that these vehicles are known for their sloppy steering, at least that is my impression since mine has the same issue. From what I've read, the problem stems from the fabric joint between the steering box and the intermediate steering shaft. The fabric flex's somewhat, giving the truck the sloppy steering feel. I've replaced all that you have and more, and the problem still persists. I had thought about changing the steering box itself, but others have pointed out what they feel is the root cause of the problem (as I have outlined above). The solution appears to be to replace the intermediate shaft in your Blazer with one from a 1998-1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Jeep GC intermediate shaft uses universal joints instead of the fabric joint, which eliminates the slop. VetMXR
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-03-2008, 08:33 PM	#3
01cherryreds10 Former S10 enthusiast Age: 19 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,637 Location: Illinois User is: OffLine	Re: Pitman Arm Replacement questions? That's probably the most useful single post I have ever seen on this forum. Both of you welcome by the way. If you ever do decide to get a new steering box, try and scoop up a ZQ8 box from either the S10 with the ZQ8 option or the Xtreme.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-03-2008, 08:37 PM	#4
Tim99Zr2 Fvck New Jersey Age: 21 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 7,535 Location: Reynoldsville, PA User is: OffLine	Re: Pitman Arm Replacement questions? i think replacing the pitman arm is a pita for a stock s10. i believe you have to unbolt the steering shaft, unbolt the steering box. swing the box up, and put two bolts back in the box (so its held in place, and not slopping around.) once that is done, put a pitman arm puller on it, tighten it down. then if you can hit the pitman arm with a hammer, tighten the puller, and repeat. again, this is how i would do it. if i were in that situation.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-04-2008, 06:33 PM	#5
raven2510 Overhead Console Expert Age: 22 Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,628 Location: Omaha, Nebraska User is: OffLine	Re: Pitman Arm Replacement questions? yea you basically got the procedure right...its a huge PITA
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-05-2008, 04:16 PM	#6
Yogi Registered (Ab) User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 4,093 Location: League City, TX (Houston) User is: OffLine	Re: Pitman Arm Replacement questions? If you have a 2wd, the pitman arm is just a lever with holes in each end. Nothing to wear out. The ball joint is in the center link that attaches to it. So before you start work, be sure that you are working on the part that actually wears out.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-12-2008, 01:49 PM	#7
DrewMusk Registered User Age: 46 Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 6 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Pitman Arm Replacement questions? That is what I thought, a big PITA! I just got new tires so now I have to do it soon. I can see a large amount of wiggle in the Pitman Arm where it attaches to the center link. There is lots of play (when you jack up the wheels) from side to side. Almost nothing up and down. So the ball joint should be good still. I do not see much play in the box. Ill keep you posted what I find after I replace it. I may not have had to replace the tie rods but I needed the Idler Arm replaced. The tires stopped squeeling on the get on ramps for the highway. I am guessing that has been the problem for a long time. The crazy part is when I engage 4 wheel drive it steers straight and very predictable. I have most tools and sizes but the Nut on the arm is rather large and don't have it in my tool box that big. Any one know what size it is?
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-13-2008, 01:50 PM	#8
PimpingA1997Jimmy Registered User Age: 29 Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 783 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Pitman Arm Replacement questions? I have replaced the Ball Joints idler arms and frotn drive axles the only thing i need to do still is the Pitman Somone told me i need a special tool for the pitman but not sure if this is true I am just going to have the mechanic do it becouse i just had surgeyr on my iknee and not going to be working on it for a whyll myself atleast \ but i have drifen a few s-10s blazers and jimmys and have never had mouch a a problem of steering play so not sure where that came up
	[Reply w/Quote]