Approximately 5,000 miles ago, I replaced my pitman arm for the second time. I used a moog part, and I run a superdiesel centerlink. After about 1,000 miles, I noticed the front end getting loose again. It has been getting increasingly worse, but I hadn't been able to tell what was loose. It also makes a poping noise sometimes while turning at low speeds. The popping noise was present with my first replacement pitman arm also.

I found the problem today. The pitman arm is moving up and down, at least 1/4" on the shaft that comes out of the steering box. I thought the big nut was just loose, but it is impossible to tighten it because it is bottomed out on the "geared area" of the shaft that comes out of the steering box.

I've included a link that shows the pitman arm sliding up and down on the steering gear. You can see how the movement multiplies when it reaches the centerlink.
http://ryangall.home.mchsi.com/MOV02946.MPG

Please give me advice on what to do. I don't know if I need to go to a different brand of pitman arm or if the steering gear itself is bad.

Please, :help2:

The pitman arm mounts on a tapered shaft. If you are bottomed out on the threads you can't tigheten it down onto that taper. You could try to add an additional washer or two so you can tighten it down onto the taper.

Scott

Now you got me worried!! I noticed the same thing after I replaced mine. I thought that I had some other part that was worn out but after seeing that video, I'm gonna run out and check to see if my Moog arm is loose. If you come up with a good fix, please post it, just in case.

When I replaced my Pittman I found it was VERY hard to install. I did not get it to where the factory arm was seated, but I got it very close to that. I was uisng a combo wrench with a pipe extension making a 26" wrench. Laying against the front left tire and pulling as hard as I could, I quit trying to tighten it whe I started turning the tires with the wrench.

Something looks wrong to me with your Pittman, because mine was tight with a 1/2" or even more gap between the top of the Pittman and the gear box. If it were mine, I would take off the Pittman and see if there is any damage, then either replace the Pittman or the gearbox.

The pitman arm mounts on a tapered shaft. If you are bottomed out on the threads you can't tigheten it down onto that taper. You could try to add an additional washer or two so you can tighten it down onto the taper.

Scott

Do you think adding washers is safe? I considered that idea but wasn't sure if it was a good idea. The only problem is finding a washer with a big enough hole to clear the beginning of the tapered area that the pitman mounts to. I'm not really out of threads. The existing lock washer is bottoming out on the beginning of the tapered area. It has kind of a flat spot.

Thanks for your help

When I replaced my Pittman I found it was VERY hard to install. I did not get it to where the factory arm was seated, but I got it very close to that. I was uisng a combo wrench with a pipe extension making a 26" wrench. Laying against the front left tire and pulling as hard as I could, I quit trying to tighten it whe I started turning the tires with the wrench.

Something looks wrong to me with your Pittman, because mine was tight with a 1/2" or even more gap between the top of the Pittman and the gear box. If it were mine, I would take off the Pittman and see if there is any damage, then either replace the Pittman or the gearbox.

I also used a combo wrenth and about 2' of pipe to tighten it. I believe it was seated properly when I installed it, and the truck felt better than ever for about 500-1,000 miles. My brother took it on a 3,000 mile trip to florida, and it was loose as hell when he got back. I now believe that the first pitman I put on it (also a moog) was loose like this, and I just didn't realize it. Has anyone had good luck with the moog pitman arms on our truck?

Now you got me worried!! I noticed the same thing after I replaced mine. I thought that I had some other part that was worn out but after seeing that video, I'm gonna run out and check to see if my Moog arm is loose. If you come up with a good fix, please post it, just in case.

I was looking for some other part to be bad also. To find out if this is your problem, have someone shake the tire back and forth. I could never see the problem when I had someone just turn the steering wheel, that's why I didn't realize where it was loose.

Sorry to keep posting, I've got one more question. Do the supports Kennedy sells fit over the threaded area or will they continue onto the taper (geared area) where the pitman is supposed to fit tightly? Can the supports be used with a superdiesel centerlink if I wanted to? I might just go back to the stocker, the superdiesel centerlink has served me well but the turning radius is cut down, and that not good for plowing snow.

I would suggest the OE centerlink and pitman/idler supports.

I spent the evening putting my old, stock pitman arm on. It was replaced with a moog about 13 months ago when I did the superdiesel centerlink and sleeves. About 2 months ago I put my second moog pitman arm on. My findings tonight showed that the moog pitman arm is an absolute piece of sh*t. The sloppy old stock pitman arm tightened the steering up (at the gear box). I knew their was a reason I kept crappy old parts.

This is a picture of the moog pitman arm held in place:

22502

This is a picture of the oem pitman arm held in place:


22503

Can you see how the oem is bottomed out on the splined and tapered area. The moog arm is pushed up much farther, which doen't allow it to be tightened. A test drive proved that the oem, which is worn out where it meets the centerlink is by far superior to the moog which is tight by the centerlink but won't tighten at the steering box.


Another thing I noticed is that the steering is relatively straight again. When I put the second moog pitman arm on the steering wheel had to be turned right some to go straight. The old oem made it relatively straight.

I'm ordering oem pitman and idler arms from Kennedy. I'm also going to get the braces.

Looks like the Moog arm is too big in the splines..........

Looks like the Moog arm is too big in the splines..........

:exactly:

Well, I checked mine out last night... My entire steering assembly is tight. I mean, NOTHING is loose at all! I am wondering if the parts guy gave you the pitman for a half ton or something. You never know with some of the folks working at those stores. I guess my issue is somewhere else. Probably tread squirm because of the M/T tires that I am running. I am going to get the Cognito braces though, even if just to make the pitman and idler last longer. Sorry to hear that your parts went south on you though. Sounds like you have got the right idea, going with the OEM's and the Cognito's. Good luck and I hope you get it all sorted out!
:grd:

Has anyone had good luck with the moog pitman arms on our truck?

I put the Moog parts on my truck before I found the Cognito braces. Personally I'll stick with the OE stuff now, but the Moog and braces are working fine. I think you must have gotten the wrong part???

I think it was either the wrong part or one that just wasn't made correctly. Comparing it to the oem, they look the same. Holding the two pitman arms together (steering box ends), I could tell that the moog was too big. It was actually a relief, because I didn't want to have to replace the steering box.

I'm going to try and take the moog pitman arm back to the store.

Dang it, upon further inspection I also have a bad passenger side inner tie rod.

You should have pitman/idler arms and supports today!

I'll have to watch my inners but so far they have held tight...

Thanks a bunch John. I just got home and the parts are here. I'm going to put them on tonight, and hopefully get an alignment tomorrow so I can go to the track tomorrow evening.

Everything is off. Things actually went well for once. It only took 2 beers (1 hour). Hopefully everything will go on as easily.

The truck is back together. It drives unbelievably well. The steering is very tight and responsive and it doesn't wander down the road anymore. It drives like I always wanted it to. I also like the turning radius I got back.

Amazing, isn't it? The truck should come that way form GM. Poly a-arm bushings also soldify and improve the steering response.

Well, I took my truck in to try to figure out why the steering was loose again and discovered that my "High Quality Moog Pitman arm" is rattling around on the output shaft of the steering gearbox!!!:mad: WTF?!!! My opinion of Moog is heading South very quickly!!! We tried to tighten the nut to correct this and the freakin' washer split on the shaft!! Moog may be buying me a new steering box if the splines are damaged!!! I am pretty pissed! Can someone tell me if the GM part is thick enough to catch more of the splines so that I might be able to just replace the Moog part with a GM part and have enough spline contact to cover any damage that was done by the Moog part? I hope that doesn't sound too confusing. Moog...:badidea:

Looks to be a common problem for the Moog stuff. I'll be sticking with OEM parts for my customers.

I was worried about the shaft on the steering box also. It seems to be fine with a gm pitman on it, no more slop.

Hope mine is ok. That Moog pitman has been on there for about 6,000 miles. I don't know how long it has been loose. I doubt that I will need a pitman puller to get it off though. It looks like it will just fall off when I take the nut off!! That is the last Moog part that is ever going on my truck!!!

has anyone put the cognito brace kit on and fixed it kind of like a big spacer wright?

I dont think I would try it. Its still not a tight fit on the shaft Bobby. Bad deal all around with them Moog's

Ijust replaced them before I whent up there

how are they now Bobby? Still tight? Keep an eye on them I guess is best advice I can give

no just what I was trying to figure out why I still had play guess I need to do it again wonder if moog knows about the problem

Well, I just got a call from my parts guy. He said that my AC Delco pitman is in. I'm gonna try to get it put on today. I'll let you know what I find out.

just put my new OEM pitman arm on so far so good let you know tomorrow

just put my new OEM pitman arm on so far so good let you know tomorrow

By the Cognito Motorsport braces:ro) and install them soon. What a difference it made in the steering.

Bought mine from Kennedy

now the only problem is oem pitman arm, moog idler arm cognito braces are for either or

Check with JK. Maybe he can mix match you a pair?

Well, I got my Delco part installed. What a difference!! Stearing is nice and tight now. It threw my alignment off, but a quick trip to the alignment shop fixed that. I am in the same boat with a Delco pitman and a Moog idler. I am probably going to replace the idler with the whole assembly, not just the arm and then I'll be getting those braces just to keep everything tight. I am happy with it right now though. This has been a little more expensive that I had originally hoped. :banghead: I hope it holds together THIS time!!!

I called the parts supplier about mine and they said just to bring it in and they will contact moog about the problem hope to atleast to get my money back

parts place returned my money and put a call in to Moog

WOW....... im happy i saw this im having simaler probelms and was about to drop osme serious cash on repalcing most everything on my truck......... so what is the over all best combo fix parts wise?......

After struggling with my MOOG pitman arm for a little more than a year, I finally picked up a NAPA pitman arm this AM. After about a 30 minute install my steering is much tighter, but now I've got no Cognito brace on the pitman either.

On the bright side......the MOOG part drops right off, so the r&r is pretty quick!!!

I listed the Thru nut independently for those who have mixed/matched trucks. Personally, I prefer the OE arms, but have Moog on my 2002. Some day maybe I'll get around to checking the pitman fit.

Every since my moog pitman arm broke in to (thank God it was in a parking lot) I haven't used them since. If i remember correctly mine hade a little play in mine to, but not as much as that