I am converting my 72 el camino to manual steering and can't seem to locate the correct pitman arm can anybody help me out

Thanks in advanced

Mike

Are the pitman arms from a 68 malibu convertible compatible. I am going the other way and converting from manual to power. If they interchange we could do a swap.

I'm not sure but it would be worth a try

email me with an address or a phone number and we can work out the details

Thanks Mike

Okay, all power steering pitman arms from 1968-1972 are the same and all manual steering pitman arms from 1968-1972 are the same. This goes for all GM A-body's. So, yes a 1968 Malibu convertible power steering pitman arm is the same as a 1971 El Camino power steering pitman arm and vise-versa. The same goes as a 1968 Malibu manual steering pitman arm is the same as a 1971 El Camino manual steering pitman arm.

This is confusing... I converted my -69 to power steering not too long ago, and I had a complete setup from a PS car. I compared the PS and non-PS pitman arms, and they were identical. The arms on both steering boxes as well as the rest of the components in the steering linkage were also identical. The only thing I changed in the front end was the steering box with the arm that came on it.

Could it be that the PS car I took it off also had been converted, without changing to the correct arms? Guess I have to brush them off again, measure and compare the casting numbers...

I might add that I took it to the alignment shop and it all checked out OK, and I have been driving it daily, without any problems.

The difference between P/S and manual steering pitman arms (for the same car) is the diameter of the splined hole that fits onto the shaft that comes out of the steering box.............

Originally posted by dyno jonn:
The difference between P/S and manual steering pitman arms (for the same car) is the diameter of the splined hole that fits onto the shaft that comes out of the steering box............. Ok, I guess the reason I got confused is the terminology: I usually only call the idler (the right one) "Pitman arm". Don't know what the left one (on the steering box) would be called though. "Steering arm" maybe? Something for other nitpickers like me to answer, I guess ;)

Thanks!

The one on the steering box is the pitman arm. THe one on the other side on the frame is the idler arm. Between these is the drag link (or center link) From the drag link to the spindles is the tie rod, and from the tie rod to the spindle is the steering arm. From the spindle to the tire is the wheel (bet you knew that one :D ) You were close smile.gif

K

Aw crap... not one single thing right! But I knew about that big round thing on the spindle :D Thanks or setting me straight graemlins/thumbsup.gif