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Pitman Arm???
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2003 8:33 am
by Kell
Ok please explain to a "simple" person what a Pitman Arm is and what it does. The car I am looking at has just had one of these replaced in it.
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2003 8:36 am
by murcod
AFAIK it's part of the steering mechanism. Someone else can probably elaborate a bit further....
If you look in the engine bay of a Feroza you'll see the steering column comes out of the firewall and heads towards the front of the vehicle. It then goes into the steering box and from there to either front wheel via linkages etc. On the front left side underneath there's an idler arm (maybe Pitman arm?) that's got bushes in it that can wear out.
Possibly that's the bit they've replaced?
Have a look here for more info:
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... =idler+arm
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2003 9:05 am
by Ferwoaza
Real basic like..
Steering wheel is attached to steering shaft which runs through the firewall and attaches to a steering box. From this box a curved "arm" is attached which goes down and attaches to the drivers side wheel.
Turn wheel, shaft turns, turns box, moves pitman arm on drivers wheel. From here a rod goes to the passenger side wheel to move that at the same time. There is an "Idler" arm on the passenger wheel to keep the steering solid...it is usually this arm that wears out..
I haven't come across a pitman that has needed replacing yet...but seen a heap of idlers. Usually the steering box goes before the pitman??
Could possibly, maybe, the result of an accident at some stage? Ask them what was wrong with it and why it needed replacing..
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2003 10:43 am
by murcod
Thanks for the corrections!

Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2003 11:59 am
by Kell
Thanks guys I understand now
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2003 12:54 pm
by ShinyDiscoBalls
Hmmmmm...
Pitman arm, paint... you sure this isn't a write off rebirth???
check the welds on the radiator support...
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2003 2:13 pm
by murcod
Here's a very dodgey pic of the Feroza steering with the Pitman arm labeled:
(PS: looks to be a left hand drive Feroza too!)
Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2003 4:56 pm
by BundyRumandCoke
Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 6:07 pm
by Spartacus
i have broken the pitman arm tool on the first go trying to get the arm off.
WTF? i even used a 150mm 3 claw puller--and nothing
So far i can see about 5mm of spline above the arm. it was supposed to
come off by now
Going to try alot of heat next. any seals that will get shagged in the box?
Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:05 pm
by mrRocky
on other cars i have owned removal often requires you to belt it on the side, not the top. with a big hammer fu__n hard, then it just pops of sorta like on steering joints. spray it with crc and let it soak overnight will prob help a bit too