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Pitman Arm/Steering Gear Question

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Old Mar 25, 2003 | 07:00 PM
  #1  
89Iroc-ZL98's Avatar
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Car: 1989 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
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Transmission: WC T-5
Pitman Arm/Steering Gear Question

I cannot remember, so before I get any ideas, I wanted to ask. Can a pitman arm be mounted in any position (circular), or is there one particular position set where it mounts to the gear?

The reason I am asking is that my steering wheel is pointing to the right when the wheels are straight, and i'm not sure if there is enough room to adjust this out with the adjusting sleeves. I was thinking of just pulling it and repositioning it. Will this work?
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Old Mar 25, 2003 | 08:59 PM
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Blown87's Avatar
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Car: 87 Z-28
Engine: 383 HSR w/supercharger, AFR heads
Transmission: 700r4 w/2500 stall
Axle/Gears: 3:73
I would use the tie rod sleeves to adjust the wheel. You should be able to adjust the steering wheel 45 degrees.
Mark the tie rods and turn each one 1/4 turn in opposite directions, check the wheel and make further adjustments if needed. As long as you turn the tie rod sleeves equally you will not change the total toe.
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Old Mar 25, 2003 | 09:24 PM
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89Iroc-ZL98's Avatar
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Car: 1989 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
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Transmission: WC T-5
I think if I try that, i will reach the limit of adjustment on the passenger side. It is already fairly close now. It definately appears that something is off.

To give some background, I hit some kind of hole in the highway at the end of last year, threw my steering way off. Wonderful CT roads! The steering was ok, just now the wheel is pointed left about 30 to 40 degrees (was of a bit to start with after changing the wheel). Steering is still tight and the front end looks fine. No change in drivability (other than my caster is still off, as it was before the incident)

Any suggestions?
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Old Mar 26, 2003 | 07:40 AM
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Car: 87 Z-28
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Transmission: 700r4 w/2500 stall
Axle/Gears: 3:73
It may not be apparent at first glance, but you bent something. If nothing was bent the tie rod sleeves would be relatively centered. Plus if you hit a pot hole, and since then the wheel has been off center, there is a damaged component.
I would not attempt to center the wheel as that is only masking the problem.
To answer your original question, you could try and re-index the pitman arm, but it will be almost impossible to get the wheel straight based off the pitman arm position. Remember, a quarter turn of the tie rod sleeve will move the steering wheel maybe 5-10 degrees. A quarter turn of the sleeve equates to maybe 1/32" of movement, so you can see how it is amplified in the steering wheel.
Good luck on which ever you decide.
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Old Mar 26, 2003 | 06:14 PM
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89Iroc-ZL98's Avatar
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Car: 1989 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
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Thanks for the advice. I'll take a closer look at all of the components this weekend, see if I missed anything.
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Old Mar 27, 2003 | 10:11 AM
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Car: 82 camaro SC
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700r4
Don't mess with the pitman arm. Check for bent/broken parts, then just have an alignment done. Any decent alignment shop will set the wheel straight during the alignment. If the alignment was correct and the wheel was straight, you hit a bump and the wheel is not straight--your alignment is off. At a minimum the toe is wrong. Incorrect toe will drive just fine, but the steering wheel may not be straight(it isn't in your case) and it will chew up the tires.
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