Pitman arm positioning (1 Viewer)

[Rockymtnfamily]

I recently replaced my drag link ends. Unfortunately, when I had it off the steering wheel was turned. Can someone please post pictures or measurements of how this should be set? Pictures below with wheels set straight, fully turned to the left, and fully turned to the right.

 

[CharlieS]

Adjust the drag link by turning until the steering wheel is centered. The ends are threaded opposite, so turning the tube will lengthen or shorten it depending on which direction you turn it.

 

[Mark W]

Pittman arm positioning? Just center the steering box and adjust the draglink until it fits with the wheels centered. Drive it, pull back in with the tires straight as you shut it all down, regardless of where the steering wheel is. Then do whatever fine adjustment is needed by adjusting the draglink to center the steering wheel without moving the tires.

Don't spend the day trying to chase tiny adjustments after just a few minutes test drive. you WILL spend the day chasing if you try. Once it is close, drive the rig on different roads for a day or two and get a feel for where the steering wheels trends to before trying to adjust the teeny tiny last bit.
Next time measure the distance TRE to TRE before you disassemble and put the news ones in to the same length.

Mark...

 

[Rockymtnfamily]

Adjust the drag link by turning until the steering wheel is centered. The ends are threaded opposite, so turning the tube will lengthen or shorten it depending on which direction you turn it.

Thanks Charlie, I believe I have the wheel alignment pretty close to dialed in and have driven around town a bit since that time.

 

[Rockymtnfamily]

Thanks for your replies Charlie and Mark,

To clarify, when I had everything apart, the steering wheel was turned one or more revolutions. While driving, It seems to me that the steering radius might be off.

I tend to be pretty Obsessive when it comes to my vehicles and I need to put my nagging worries to rest. Can someone please take some pictures of their drag link in the same positions as I did above?

 

[jonheld]

Thanks for your replies Charlie and Mark,

To clarify, when I had everything apart, the steering wheel was turned one or more revolutions. While driving, It seems to me that the steering radius might be off.

I tend to be pretty Obsessive when it comes to my vehicles and I need to put my nagging worries to rest. Can someone please take some pictures of their drag link in the same positions as I did above?

As previously stated, the position of the steering wheel/pitman is not relevant to R/R the draglink. The draglink adjusts steering wheel center. That's it. It makes no difference if the wheel was positioned full left or full right or straight ahead. The length of the draglink will determine center.

If it makes you feel at ease, you can remove the draglink from the pitman arm and center the steering wheel, then reattach.

There is a measurement in the FSM for length, but I consider that a starting point as each truck is set up slightly differently.

 

[CharlieS]

Thanks Charlie, I believe I have the wheel alignment pretty close to dialed in and have driven around town a bit since that time.

Just to add one more tidbit in case there is some misunderstanding: the drag link adjustment doesn't impact the alignment. But I may be misunderstanding your terminology.

 

[Rockymtnfamily]

Thanks for your feedback to all who took the time to post. I am happy to hear that the way I have it set is fine. This project has been a long time in the making and I am happy to have it on the road and getting dialed in.