Whats this thing called? help?!

66StangGuy · 03-28-2003, 03:22 PM

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.

matt1190 · 03-29-2003, 12:50 AM

It's called an idler arm

66StangGuy · 03-29-2003, 05:37 AM

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.

hobgoblin351 · 03-29-2003, 07:43 AM

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

Maroon 5.0 LX · 03-29-2003, 11:02 AM

Pitman arm?

Rev · 03-29-2003, 06:15 PM

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

66StangGuy · 03-30-2003, 04:04 AM

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.

Rev · 03-30-2003, 01:14 PM

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

Rev · 03-30-2003, 01:33 PM

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

zach0 · 03-31-2003, 10:31 AM

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

Maroon 5.0 LX · 03-31-2003, 12:01 PM

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

66StangGuy · 03-31-2003, 03:06 PM

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.

03-28-2003, 03:22 PM	#1
66StangGuy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Diamond Bar Posts: 258	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. __________________ 66 mustang-292-Holley 4160-World Castings Windsor Sr.-Hooker super comp headers-MSD box & Coil.3.55 gears. B&M Z-Gate-Black leather racing seats with 4pt harnes.

03-29-2003, 12:50 AM	#2
matt1190 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 66	It's called an idler arm __________________ 66 coupe: 351W 30 over. Fiberglass shelby parts + flares

03-29-2003, 05:37 AM	#3
66StangGuy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Diamond Bar Posts: 258	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. __________________ 66 mustang-292-Holley 4160-World Castings Windsor Sr.-Hooker super comp headers-MSD box & Coil.3.55 gears. B&M Z-Gate-Black leather racing seats with 4pt harnes.

03-29-2003, 07:43 AM	#4
hobgoblin351 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 245	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 __________________ 1970 Stang Conv: en:Boss351 (balanced/blueprinted) mech cam(240*@.050/.540 lift) Scrw in studs/comp cams rllr rkr Mldn valves 2.19in 1.71ex ported polished cc'd hrdnd ex Keith Black FT pistons(10.25/1) Weiand Excellorator manifold Holley700 DP mech 2nds MSD 6 box and Dis Headers/2 1/2 inch duels tr: modified FMX re:9-inch/3.89 limited slip

03-29-2003, 11:02 AM	#5
Maroon 5.0 LX Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 471	Pitman arm? __________________ '89 LX 5.0 - 5 speed. Original Owner '94 E-150 4.9 Hi-Top Conversion Van '06 Mustang V-6, 5 speed

03-29-2003, 06:15 PM	#6
Rev Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 3,887	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 __________________ '66 Coupe, 306, 350-375 HP, C-4, 13.07 e.t., 104.8 mph, 1/4 mi. O.B.C. #2 '66 coupe

03-30-2003, 04:04 AM	#7
66StangGuy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Diamond Bar Posts: 258	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. __________________ 66 mustang-292-Holley 4160-World Castings Windsor Sr.-Hooker super comp headers-MSD box & Coil.3.55 gears. B&M Z-Gate-Black leather racing seats with 4pt harnes.

03-30-2003, 01:14 PM	#8
Rev Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 3,887	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 __________________ '66 Coupe, 306, 350-375 HP, C-4, 13.07 e.t., 104.8 mph, 1/4 mi. O.B.C. #2 '66 coupe

03-30-2003, 01:33 PM	#9
Rev Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 3,887	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 __________________ '66 Coupe, 306, 350-375 HP, C-4, 13.07 e.t., 104.8 mph, 1/4 mi. O.B.C. #2 '66 coupe

03-31-2003, 10:31 AM	#10
zach0 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Hampton, Virginia Posts: 227	Paste the link on here from mustangs plus so we can look at exactly what your talking about. __________________ 1980 RX7 with 289 Ford V-8 bored .030 over, Very radical cam, Torker 2 high rise intake, Holley 650 Carb, MSD Nascar 6ALN ignition, MSD coil and distributor, Headers with dual open side exhaust. Over 300 horse. 1966 Mustang still in progress

03-31-2003, 12:01 PM	#11
Maroon 5.0 LX Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 471	Heres a picture of a Pitman arm, is this what you're referring to? Pitman arm __________________ '89 LX 5.0 - 5 speed. Original Owner '94 E-150 4.9 Hi-Top Conversion Van '06 Mustang V-6, 5 speed

03-31-2003, 03:06 PM	#12
66StangGuy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Diamond Bar Posts: 258	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. __________________ 66 mustang-292-Holley 4160-World Castings Windsor Sr.-Hooker super comp headers-MSD box & Coil.3.55 gears. B&M Z-Gate-Black leather racing seats with 4pt harnes.

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