Pitman Arm to Steering Box Spacing

[jmcbeth]

I just attached the pitman arm to my rebuilt steering box. The spacing between the pitman arm and the steering box after tightening is about 5/8 inch. On my other Z, the pitman arm spacing is much less. Is this OK or do I need to correct this? See picture below.

[Mike S]

 Was the lash adjustment performed (it's the top cover adjustment)? That will raise/lower the sector shaft based on the final torque reading so whatever is exposed should be normal.

Mike

[sixt9x33rs]

JMcbeth, I just did the exact same thing and had the same issue. My issue was that I could not torque the pitman arm to spec because I did not have a 1 5/16" socket to torque it down to the 120 - 160 foot pound spec per the AIM. Once I got that done then my pitman arm went further up the shaft and to what I believe is acceptable.

Who rebuilt your box? I had Lares Corp rebuild mine.

[jmcbeth]

Mike, Don't know. Purchased steering box from Heartbeat. I would assume they adjusted appropriately. How can one tell?

sixt9x33rs, When I torqued to 120 ft. lbs. it came up a little more, now about 1/2 inch. Steering box came from Heartbeat. I presume they rebuild them.

Thanks!

John

[Mike S]

Mike, Don't know. Purchased steering box from Heartbeat. I would assume they adjusted appropriately. How can one tell?
.........

John

Hi John,

  The way to tell is to use a scale to measure the resistance of the shaft but that would have to be before it was installed. Too loose and it will have some slack feeling in the steering wheel and too tight it could bind and/or create excessive gear wear. I'd be surprised if that measurement was not checked during rebuild if it was done by a knowledgeable rebuilder. At this stage I would drive the car to get a feel for how the steering wheel feels. If no slop then I would say you are fine.
  As a side note, I know some people who use the old school way to drive and slightly tweak that nut until the slop is gone. Sort of like adjusting the vacuum advance without a timing light.

Mike

[firstgenaddict]

The splines look like they are zinc or tin plated, if they are this is the reason the pitman arm will not go down any further, it has created a thicker taper.

[Mike S]

 Good catch, James. I took a look at mine and it appears to be copper plated.

Mike

[JohnZ]

Good catch, James. I took a look at mine and it appears to be copper plated.

Mike

It was copper-flashed to protect the precision splines from corrosion or galling.