Pain in the pitman

[James903]

I’m installing power steering on my 66. I’ve got a new steering box and a new 6143 pitman arm. I’m having issues getting the pitman on all the way. I can only get it about halfway on the splines of the steering box. Ive ruined a nut trying to tighten it down further on to the splines. I’ve tried a different steering box. I really don’t want to, but I’ve considered heating up the pitman arm and then hitting it with the impact. From what the parts store tells me and my research I have the correct pitman arm. I’ve installed plenty of pitman arms in the past on square bodys, which would basically be the same steering box and pitman arm. I just don’t get it

[Clyde65]

If your going by the numbers on the packaging, we all have been duped by those.
I would go get another pitman arm and try that. Sometimes the manufacturer makes packaging mistakes.

[James903]

Yeah I’ve thought about getting a different pitman arm. Thanks

[Mack B]

Originally Posted by James903

Yeah I’ve thought about getting a different pitman arm. Thanks

Does it look like this? It won't pull up flush to the bottom of the box.

[James903]

If I could get it on that far I’d probably just leave it. I ordered a different brand pitman arm (moog). The one I have now is a master craft. So hopefully the new one fits better.

[chevy_mike]

Remember, the splined shaft on the steering box is tapered. You will NOT get the pitman arm to push all on. Basically if you can get it tight and the nut has a couple threads showing, you are good. A good impact gun is helpful to install.