1986 Dodge 1/2 ton pu - Pitman arm replacement necessary?

  • Thread starter Thread starter bamafan
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bamafan

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The steering in our 86 dodge is LOOSE has about 3" of play in the wheel. It is fairly obvious upon observation that the pitman arm should be replaced. The truck has steered like this literally for years (previous owner did not grease front end). If we tighted the nut on the arm really well, and everything else seems ok, is the truck ok to drive (20 miles on hwy daily)????
 
If previous owner didn't grease the front end, then most likely a lot more than pitman needs replaced.
Idler arm, ball joints, tie rods, control arm, rag joint, and probably even steering rack now that you've left it this way for years.
I don't know at what speed you drive the 20 miles, but I would try to get as much of this taken care of as soon as you're able.
The work to do all this can be done at home, and the parts are relatively inexpensive, (especially compared to what happens if you don't) it's just greasy, messy, heavy work. You can rent any tools you need at an auto parts store.
The steering being loose is the only warning you're going to get before it breaks and puts you into a tree; or worse, another car full of family.
 
only if you like steering where you want to go
you could replace that at home if you got a wrench to tighten it you was half way done not a hrad thing to replace but it does control how to you steer if it breaks or falls off you dont steer and crash cant get much more necessary and since its been years like that just makes it more likely it wil break sooner and you crash sooner

necessary no but neither is crashing into a tree
 
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