Pitman arm very tight?

[1515art]

quick question if this is normal, new pitman arm OEM style from 4wheel parts very tight pulling it on at 80# of torque now on the nut and half of the splines are still showing, should I go the whole 185# is this normal? The old drop pitman practically fell off.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Yes that's normal, the Pitman arm is supposed to have a very tight fit so take the nut to 185 ft-lbs. You may want to slip a floor jack handle over the torque wrench handle for a little more leverage.

 

[1515art]

Jerry, thank you so much. Can’t tell you the number of times if just pushed on only to regret, very comforting to know I can proceed all is good with the universe and hopefully my tj, lol.

 

[Chris]

Oh yeah, that sucker is on there tight. Had to replace mine when I got the Jeep and it took quite a bit of force!

 

[1515art]

Yes that's normal, the Pitman arm is supposed to have a very tight fit so take the nut to 185 ft-lbs. You may want to slip a floor jack handle over the torque wrench handle for a little more leverage.

Jerry, sorry I hate being a bother and I guess there is no real reason the two arms would friction fit exactly the same, but this is a bigger gap than my inexperienced eye expected. My (2) wrenches max at 150# the dial is a bit beyond that and i pulled past the indicator click that the steering box is torquing enough that the nut should be near 185#. Couple of pics just to ask if I’m OK?

 

[Chris]

Jerry, sorry I hate being a bother and I guess there is no real reason the two arms would friction fit exactly the same, but this is a bigger gap than my inexperienced eye expected. My (2) wrenches max at 150# the dial is a bit beyond that and i pulled past the indicator click that the steering box is torquing enough that the nut should be near 185#. Couple of pics just to ask if I’m OK?

That gap is fine. Mine looks just like this as well.

 

[1515art]

Ahh, good, thanks I can sleep happy tonight.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

That's a tapered joint and the new Pitman arm will be tighter and fit a bit lower. I should have suggested earlier that you put blue Locktite on the threads before threading the Pitman arm nut on. That way you would have only needed to to tighten it to 130 ft-lbs. since you reduce the amount set by the torque wrench by 30% for hardware that is lubed by Loctite or antiseize to achieve the same clamping force.

 

[1515art]

Jerry thank you, think I’m ok it felt exactly 185# to me +/- .00001#, lol. Quick test drive I have no dead area at speeds below 45 main difference is I feel the road more in the steering, proof will be if it wants to wander and how the steering corrects. Before it was turn and wait then adjust for the over correction. Castor is still set the same looking at the bolt, I will check that again with the gauge later. Only thing I can play with is a bit more toe and another slight adjustment on the front track bar it is still a bit left after the first time.

 

[1515art]

Well what a difference the correct pitman arm makes tj feels solid and the dead zone is completely gone and no side to side drift, Really driving nice and tracking straight. Have to thank Jerry and everyone for the help and all the advice was spot on, what my jeep needed, it feels better than it ever has.