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Pitman Arm Installation

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by tripilio, Oct 11, 2020.

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  1. Oct 11, 2020
    tripilio

    tripilio Proud American!

    Miami
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    I just finished my ross box, I must say have a new sector shaft. Now, when I tried to install the pitman arm it won't go in. I started to drive it in with the nut but after a bit it gets really tight and I do not want to strip the sector's threads. Other than removing the whole ross assembly and pressing the arm on a bench vise, is there any other way to install it without damaging anything on the ross box?
     
    tripilio, Oct 11, 2020
    #1
  2. Oct 11, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

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    Isn't there a locator/index on the shaft and also the arm?
     
    Glenn, Oct 11, 2020
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  3. Oct 11, 2020
    tripilio

    tripilio Proud American!

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    No idea what are those...
     
    tripilio, Oct 11, 2020
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  4. Oct 11, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

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    If I remember right the sector shaft has a separation in the splines that helps for lining up the pitman arm to center it. I believe the arm has a mark on it also to help line it up.
     
    Glenn, Oct 11, 2020
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  5. Oct 11, 2020
    tripilio

    tripilio Proud American!

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    Oh, those! The new sector shaft has none. I assumed that would help with the proper alignment to get lock to lock turns but the arm "should" slide in on any position. I do not believe is keyed to a specific point. But I have been wrong before...
    I tested the position on the sector on the portion of the splines that engaged and got it pretty much centered.
     
    tripilio, Oct 11, 2020
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  6. Oct 11, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

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    Maybe put a Mic on the 2 shafts and check for diameter comparison? The old shaft and new one.
     
    Glenn, Oct 11, 2020
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  7. Oct 11, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

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    You're definitely not the first to have issues with steering parts.
     
    Glenn, Oct 11, 2020
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  8. Oct 11, 2020
    tripilio

    tripilio Proud American!

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    Will do. I kept the old one. Thanks!
     
    tripilio, Oct 11, 2020
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  9. Oct 12, 2020
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Did you look real close at the splines? I have seen them where the only go on one way, they leave one spline out so it will only fit on in one place. I don't remember if was my Jeep or some other steering box, but I have seen it before. Good Luck.
     
    Rick Whitson, Oct 12, 2020
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  10. Oct 12, 2020
    tripilio

    tripilio Proud American!

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    I guess I will have to remove the whole d...n thing today (already full of lube) and take a closer look. Maybe I can use a file to clean the splines on the new sector if they appear to be a little rough?
     
    tripilio, Oct 12, 2020
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  11. Oct 12, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

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    Lousy quality control probably. Maybe try that along with some never seize when installing the arm. Definitely test fit it before bolting the box back on. Put it on snug, pull it off, see where it hangs up. Keep trying that, eventually working it on?
     
    Glenn, Oct 12, 2020
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  12. Oct 13, 2020
    tripilio

    tripilio Proud American!

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    I measured the old and the new and there is a profile difference. The old one has a taper that is missing in the new one. The back side of the splines measure the same, but maybe the fact that the arm engages from the beginning makes itso hard to drive it in? Should I taper the splines or just file them a bit deeper at least at the beginning?
     
    tripilio, Oct 13, 2020
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  13. Oct 13, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

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    Obviously they both have to be tapered and it has to match to fit properly and safely. I personally would call where you got it from and tell them the problem. They should correct it by supplying a properly tapered one.
     
    Glenn, Oct 13, 2020
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  14. Oct 13, 2020
    Buildflycrash

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    Definitely. Steering and Brakes.
     
    Buildflycrash, Oct 13, 2020
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  15. Oct 15, 2020
    Brislin06

    Brislin06 Member

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    I had the same problem with mine the nut was bottoming out because of no taper. I ended up adding a washer and using locktite. I bought it from Kaiser willys It’s either crown or omix I never called them What can they do it’s likely China engineering. Only other resort is finding a NOS item and that’s nearly impossibly
     
    Brislin06, Oct 15, 2020
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