Took the old girl into the mechanic and had him check all the steering and suspension parts. They are 47 years old and I did not want any uncommanded turns. It also wanders at highway speed. Ball joints, tie rods and most all else was fine. The Pitman arm was bad and he said that was probably 90 percent of the wander. Not going to do it myself. Too busy, too old, too fat, too dumb. He'll do it for maybe a couple hundred tops. I like having a garage in town where the owner is a classic car guy himself and knows how to work on these old cars.

 

What is wrong with the pitman arm that it is shot? This is about the only part of the steering system that is solid steel with no moving parts.

One end is splined and the other is just a hole. If the splines are ruined I would question if the splines on the steering gearbox are ruined also as they machine fit together. Don't know how you can strip one w/o the other also unless the pitman splines are a much softer steel than the gearbox shaft? Is the centerlink end hole wobbled out?

Don't want to question what your mechanic charges but a new pitman is ~$75 and I took mine off/on at different times but bet I could do it in 15min. with the free rental puller I had.



Jon

 

I agree. In a 64-66, the joint is part of the center link, not the pittman. You're being had. Or your car is a weird parts collection.

 

Are you sure he didn't mean Idler arm???

My Idler arms were bad on both my '67 and '71 Mustangs, but unless the pitman arm is bent or for what ever reason the hole ovaled for the steering attachment, it really doesn't "go" bad.

Lynn

 

Read all comments that has been stated.

Extermely Doubtfull the Pitman is the cause. Now to dig a bit further, If this cat doesn't know a Pitman from a idler---Get the hell away from him, he know nothing about these vintage PS Systems.

Dan @ Chockostang

 

Only one of you got it partly right boys. The splines are seriously worn. The steering box is fine. As far as the price, he said it would probably cost about $75 for the part but he did not want to commit to that and have it come in at $100. Yeah, I am actually willing to pay him labor for doing it for me. He has a shop to pay for, you know.

 

How can the splines be worn? They don't move, ever.

 

CJ Pony's has them on sale for $86
http://sitesearch.cjponyparts.com/se...965+pitman+arm
Lynn

 

Ok, I'd want to see the splines on the gearbox shaft and the old part just to try to figure out in my own head how one strips w/o damaging the other, but I guess that's the case.

"He'll do it for maybe a couple hundred tops" when I hear this it means $200min. from a mechanic, just wanted to make sure you weren't being taken. The pic I posted was from MU and $75. Agree he has a shop to pay for just didn't want to see you taken for $200 for a $75 part and 15min. labor charged at 2-3hr. rate. As long as you trust him that's what counts.
Jon

 

Anyplace that has used parts, like Glazier/Nolan, must have a pile of them, because they don't wear out.