i changed my pitman and idler arm the other day. i pulled the pitman arm off with a puller from advanced auto parts. i put the new one on the "steering box shaft" with the lock washer and nut and tightened it up to press it back on. the thing is, i tightened up as much as i could with a 1 and 5/16 and a three foot cheater bar and the pitman arm didnt go up as much as the one i took off. there is about an 1/8 inch difference. is this alright or someting wrong? it was so tight the lock washer started to spread apart

Depending on the brand of arm, its normal. Taper fit in the pitman arm and a few thou difference can make the difference. Its not critical as long as the nut is tight and no play on the shaft

cool. im thinkin the nut has atleast 300 ft lbs. so i know it aint movin