Best way to fix this?

[64stpside]

I installed a cpp front sway bar on my 64 c10 and the nut and stud on the bottom of the pitman arm needs about 1/4-3/8 in to clear the bar. I have 2 scenarios as to what might have caused the issue 1. I installed pwr steering using captainfabs bracket kit and hope i didn't set the gearbox down to low or 2. my pitman arm not up far enough. As far as fixing the issue, I'm leaning on cutting down the round spacer tube that's in-between the bushings on the endlinks and spacing the frame mounts to drop the swaybar to get the clearance. The 3rd pic is a closeup of the pitman arm. Do I have to many splines showing or is that as high as is will go? What do you guys think?

[Rickysnickers]

"...spacing the frame mounts to drop the swaybar to get the clearance..."

I'd try that first before cutting anything. It would also seem to be the easiest solution.

[64stpside]

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

"...spacing the frame mounts to drop the swaybar to get the clearance..."

I'd try that first before cutting anything. It would also seem to be the easiest solution.

Dropping the front only wouldn't make it clear the bar. I want to keep the bar as close to a 90 deg angle to the endlinks as possible, as it should be.

[mongocanfly]

I think your gonna need more than 1/4-3/8 clearance....if your pitman arm end is over the sway bar and the suspension compresses its gonna hit.....
and I think those splines are on a taper on the gearbox.....
I wonder if you could get a pitman with less offset...

[K20super]

What pian arm is the application for I work at a shop and 8 of the last 10 aftermarket pitman arms we purchased for the 88-98 Chevy trucks the splines were cut with out a taper or not deep enough. These were Moog all with other brands, aftermarket junk is just that anymore. All the gm ones we ordered to reduce the situation for great and went on all the way like they are supposed to where the nut almost hits the shoulder on the splines

[64stpside]

Originally Posted by K20super

What pian arm is the application for I work at a shop and 8 of the last 10 aftermarket pitman arms we purchased for the 88-98 Chevy trucks the splines were cut with out a taper or not deep enough. These were Moog all with other brands, aftermarket junk is just that anymore. All the gm ones we ordered to reduce the situation for great and went on all the way like they are supposed to where the nut almost hits the shoulder on the splines

I'll guarantee you it's not a a/c delco pitman arm. I'm pretty sure I got it off ebay. I used a steering box that fits a 68-86, a cardone 27-7501. I wonder if the pitman arms for the 68-86 are supposed to go up that high like on the 88-98

[K20super]

Remove the nut and see if the bottom of the arm is almost level with the bottom of the splines if not it is not on far enough.

[mfm3]

Had the same problem after adding the sway bar. Removed the entire link sleeve; gave me the clearance needed. No effect on ride quality. The gouge in the top of the sway bar happened before the sleeve was removed. There may still be times when suspension travel causes the pitman arm and sway bar to come in contact, but I never have felt anything while driving.

[64stpside]

Originally Posted by mfm3

Had the same problem after adding the sway bar. Removed the entire link sleeve; gave me the clearance needed. No effect on ride quality. The gouge in the top of the sway bar happened before the sleeve was removed. There may still be times when suspension travel causes the pitman arm and sway bar to touch, but I never have felt it while driving.

2 questions, was your pitman arm up farther than mine and did you lower/space the frame brackets? I would think dripoing the bar in the front to match the rear would be better to keep the original angles.

[Captainfab]

I would remove the link sleeve as mfm3 did and see if it gives you enough clearance.

[mfm3]

Originally Posted by 64stpside

2 questions, was your pitman arm up farther than mine and did you lower/space the frame brackets? I would think dripoing the bar in the front to match the rear would be better to keep the original angles.

Based on your pic, it looks like my pitman arm location on the shaft is about the same as yours. My bigger problem is the location of the power steering box added by the PO. The box is mounted very low on the frame. I have avoided doing it over, but if I do, I'll use the bracket from Captainfab. I had to add a section of 1" x 2" tubing between the sway bar brackets and the frame to drop the bar low enough to clear the pitman arm.

[rideblue00]

64stpside are you at stock ride height?

[64stpside]

Originally Posted by rideblue00

64stpside are you at stock ride height?

yes

[64stpside]

Thanks for all the help fellas. I got it fixed yesterday. I pulled the link spaces and 1 washer and spaced the frame mounts. Now I got about 1in to 1-1/4 in of clearance. Truck drives MUCH better

[64stpside]

Originally Posted by mfm3

Based on your pic, it looks like my pitman arm location on the shaft is about the same as yours. My bigger problem is the location of the power steering box added by the PO. The box is mounted very low on the frame. I have avoided doing it over, but if I do, I'll use the bracket from Captainfab. I had to add a section of 1" x 2" tubing between the sway bar brackets and the frame to drop the bar low enough to clear the pitman arm.

Thanks for all the pics, I got it sorted out yesterday. I don't get why someone thought it was a good idea to mount your steering box so low.