Whats this thing called? help?!
 

Iv had some steering problems and alighnment problems recently. now i found what is causing it but i dont know what the part is called.

all the front alighnment parts are in good condition. except this one part. i dont know what its called so let me try and explain it.

Ok looking at the gearbox there is an arm that comes off the goes into the power steering control valve i think its called. Is there a bushing or some type of nut that may be loose or bad that holds the control valve tight to the arm for the gear box? i currently have play in the center of the steering wheel and that is caused by this being loose. is it a bushing or a bolt? i dont have time to take it all apart and find what i need because it is a daily driver. if you guys know anything that can help me it would be greatly appreciated. thanks a lot guys.

It's called an idler arm

no its not the idler arm for sure. iv already replaced that. its the arm from the gearbox. thats on the other side...the drivers side. all the other parts including the idler arm and tie rods and bushings are fine. its just that arm that goes into the control valve on the drag link.

Hey 66, I'm in the middle of moving, my books are packed away or I'd look it up for ya. But, it sounds to me like the bolt fell off. The arm comming from the gearbox bolts to the rod comming out of the power valve. If the gearbox, and the power vavle are fine otherwise, and the only problem is the connection between them just find a good nut and bolt it back down. As far as I know there is no bushing. They should bolt together just like a ball joint does to the A-arm tight. If I'm not mistaken it even has a crown nut and uses a cotter pin or safety wire. Get this thing together soon if it comes apart you wont be able to steer. That would be a BAD thing! good luck

Pitman arm?

Pitman arm/steering box
 

I think he is referring to the pitman arm. If he has play in the steering box, then the pitman arm will wiggle back and forth a little. The thing to do for that is adjust the pre load in the box. On top of the box is a screw with a lock nut. Loosen the lock nut and tighten (clockwise) the screw to increase pre load. Only an 1/8 turn at a time, and no more, until the play is gone. Don't over do it. This worked for me.

Rev

theres no play in the gearbox itself.. its the arm from the gearbox (pitman arm im told) that goes into the control vavle for the power steering. its a ball and socket joint i guess. is there any way to adjust this? i found the part in california mustangs catalog but it dosnt look like there is any part that has a bushing or anything that could go bad from wear..its just all metal parts. what could be loost?? its messing with my alighnmnet and i need this fixed so i can get my alighnmnet done and new tires. thanks for the replys though guys. keep givin me ideas.

ball joint type connection?
 

If it's some type of ball joint connection like a tie rod end, then it's probably just worn out and will need to be replaced. I have a shop manual and will look it up.

Rev

Control valve?
 

I think the pitman arm connects to the power steering control valve. You can get a rebuilt one to keep power steering or you can get a part from Mustang Plus to just convert to manual steering. I don't have power steering, so Ive never messed with it on a '66 Mustang. That's what the part looked like in the shop manual anyway.

Rev

Paste the link on here from mustangs plus so we can look at exactly what your talking about.

Heres a picture of a Pitman arm, is this what you're referring to?
Pitman arm

i looks similar to the picture but not exactly. i dunno maybe if it was upside down. anyway i think rev was right about it being a ball and socket joint that i just need to replace. when i have a full day off work and school ill take it apart and check it all out. thanks for the help guys.