pitman arm

Got my axles put back in today and went to hook up the pitman arm to the drag link and low and behold the tapered hole in the pitman arm is larger than the tie rod end on the pitman arm. What is the easiest and cheapest fix, if the taper on both is the same I can make a sleeve at work to fit the pitman arm, get a different pitman arm or get a different tie rod. The axle is a 77 dana 30 with the original factory steering set up for the 77, the saginaw box is out of a 74 pontiac Catalina.

 

My box was out of a 75ish Malibu. The hole in the pitman arm is slighty larger than the TR end. It has a tiny amount of play but I live with it. The TR ends are regular CJ size ends.

 

Is that the model that the rod and the end are one piece and there is a threaded rod end on the knuckle end? I have the same setup on a 78 model 30 and my steering box is off a 68 Impala on my 58 CJ. I haven't put it under there yet but am going to in the near future. I had thought on mine I would be able to use my pitman and end that is on my box currently then use the end thats on my knuckle and make a pitman that fits the ends. Don't know if it'll work but that is just my prelimiary plan. I'll be watching yours to see how you solve this. good luck

 

Yes it is the same setup you mentioned , the 77 and 78 models are identical in design.

My solution to the problem, was making a sleeve. I made it out of brass so that it could be easily removed. My pitman arm looked pretty good on alignment, and I didn't want to throw away anymore money right now.
If this works as good as it looks then I will have yours in the mail tommorrow Joe. It fits on both pieces the way I planned it so I'm heading back to the garage shortly to tighten it down and see what it does.

 

Good deal Mike!!

 

I used .010 shim stock. Wraped it around the shaft and sliped it in. Sound bad doesn't it.

 

Update: the sleeve worked perfectly, it fit in there nice and easy and when I drew the tie rod up it left just the right amount of threads hanging out for the castle nut and cotter pin to work like its suppose to.

Joe its on the way tommorrow, already finished!