[75chev4x4]

Hey guys put a new steering box in my 75 chevy truck 4x4 and having an issue. I marked exactly where the old box was on the pittman arm and put the new one in the same spot on the pittman arm. I put on a new drag link also, got it really close to the old drag link lenghth wise. When the steering wheel is straight centered up the wheels on the truck are straight ahead and it drives pretty straight. Problem is when I turn the wheels I get two full turns to the right and only one and a half to the left. How do I fix this, granted I am still taking it in for an alignment after I solve this?

[LATECH]

Sounds to me like you got the pittman on in the wrong spot in spite of your attemp to get it right.
Check to be sure the adjuster sleeves have a pretty equal amount of threads exposed on each end of the drag link/tie rod ends, if they are then the pittman is in the wrong place.
If there are a lot of threads exposed on one and not so much at the other then somewhere along the line the box and pittman had been off and reinstalled incorrectly. Its up to you to do the detective work here. check it out and post back.

[75chev4x4]

Thanks, what do you mean by the box and pitman arm have been off? Like physically off the truck?if so yes they are both new and I matched the drag link up to the old one before putting the new on. I will have a look at out again though make sure its equal.

[LATECH]

Actually off could be both, off from center as well as off the truck. This is a 1975 after all,lots can happen in 35 plus years.
Check those sleeves to figure it out. They should be pretty close in amount of thread exposed from side to side. If not that would indicate an improper position of the pittman and was aligned before to correct it. 3 or 4 threads different wouldnt be a tragedy, but if you one adjuster with practically none and the other side is almost falling out of the adjuster, then chances are your work is OK and the previous was not.

[alkey]

isnt there interuptions of the splines on the output shaft of the steering box to aid in installing pitman arm in right location.should be able to centre steering box and with front wheels straight ahead then install pitman arm to shaft or mark location if you cant install pitman arm on shaft with steering box mounted to frame

[75chev4x4]

I think I'm going to unbolt the pitman arm and turn the box a quarter turn to the left then then bolt it back up and make sure the box is centered and then take it to the alignment shop and let them get the steering wheel straight and do there thing.

[LATECH]

Originally Posted by 75chev4x4

I think I'm going to unbolt the pitman arm and turn the box a quarter turn to the left then then bolt it back up and make sure the box is centered and then take it to the alignment shop and let them get the steering wheel straight and do there thing.

That is probably the most logical choice at this point. I too am surprised that it doesnt have "blind splines" on the shaft that would allow only one posistion of install.As long as the adjuster sleeves are pretty even from side to side I would do the repair as described above.

[75chev4x4]

Ok I will try that, thanks!

[speedbump]

On those trucks, the pittman arm should be at 90 degrees to the frame when the box is centered. The drag link should be adjusted to connect to the D/S spindle with the wheels pointed straight. Beyond that, it's the alignment shop's job.

[enjenjo]

It does have blind splines, 4 of them 90 degrees apart.

[kleen56]

It sounds like the pitman arm is off. The way I set mine is I removed the pitman arm. Turn the steering wheel from end to end and count how many turns on the steering wheel. In my case, it was 4 turns. Then from either full right or left, turn the steering wheel half the distance to the center point. In my case, 2 turns. Then I marked the pitman shaft with a crayon or chalk to show where my center point is on the spindle. Then just put the pitman on that position making sure the wheels set straight ahead. Not sure what position your pitman arm is on your car, but on my truck, the pitman is straight down with the draglink connecting to that. You may need another set of hands to hold the steering wheel at center position while you put the pitman arm on. If the steering wheel turns slightly, you'll be off again.