LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone: 1960-2025
Home >> Buick >> 1979 >> Skyhawk Base, Automatic Trans >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Steering >> Steering Linkage >> Removal & Installation >> Pitman Arm >> Installation
July 1: So it begins. Don't worry, this is not in the correct legal jurisdiction!

Pitman Arm: Installation

To install pitman arm, reverse removal procedure and tighten nuts as required.

Fig 1: Exploded View of Steering Linkage
G09317220Courtesy of NOT AVAILABLE
TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS

Application Ft. Lbs.
AMERICAN MOTORS
Pitman Arm-to-Steering Gear 115
Idler Arm-to-Support 50
Pitman Arm-to-Cross Link 40
Idler Arm-to-Cross Link 40
Tie Rod-to-Steering Knuckle
  Pacer 50
  All Others 35
Tie Rod-to-Cross Link 40
Tie Rod Clamps
  Pacer 20
  All Others 14
CHRYSLER CORP.
Pitman Arm-to-Steering Gear 175
Idler Arm-to-Support 65-70
Pitman Arm-to-Cross Link 40
Idler Arm-to-Cross Link 40
Tie Rod-to-Steering Knuckle 40
Tie Rod-to-Cross Link 40
Tie Rod Clamps 13
FORD MOTOR CO.
Pitman Arm-to-Steering Gear
  Granada, Monarch, Versailles (3) 200-225
  Others 236-250
Idler Arm-to-Support
  Granada, Monarch, Versailles 60-65
  Others 45-50
Pitman Arm-to-Cross Link (3) 43-47
Idler Arm-to-Cross Link
  Granada, Monarch, Versailles (3) 77-85
  Others (3) 53-70
Tie Rod-to-Steering Knuckle (3) 43-47
Tie Rod-to-Cross Link (3) 43-47
Tie Rod Clamps 20-22
GENERAL MOTORS
Pitman Arm-to-Steering Gear
  Buick
    Skyhawk (Manual) (1) 140
    All Others (1) 185
  Cadillac
    All (2) 180
  Chevrolet
    Monza (1) 168
    All Others (1) 185
  Oldsmobile
    Omega, Starfire (Manual) (2) 180
    All Others (2) 180
  Pontiac
    Sunbird 184
    All Others 140
Idler Arm-to-Support
  Buick
    Electra, LeSabre, Century (2) 61
    Skylark (2) 50
    Skyhawk (2) 30
  Cadillac
    Eldorado (2) 60
    Seville (2) 40
    All Others (2) 50
  Chevrolet
    Corvette, Monza 30
    All Others 50
  Oldsmobile
    Starfire (2) 30
    Cutlass, Omega, Delta 88
    Ninety-eight (2) 50
    Toronado (2) 80
  Pontiac
    LeMans, Firebird, Phoenix 50
    Sunbird 30
    Bonneville 61
Pitman Arm-to-Cross Link
  Buick
    All 45
  Cadillac
    Eldorado (2) 60
    All Others (2) 45
  Chevrolet
    Monza (1) 35
    All Others (1) 45
  Oldsmobile
    All (Exc. Toronado) 60
    Toronado 80
  Pontiac
    All (3) 45
Idler Arm-to-Cross Link
  Buick
    All (2) 35
  Cadillac
    Eldorado (2) 60
    Seville (2) 40
    All Others (2) 35
  Chevrolet
    All (1) 35
  Oldsmobile
    Toronado (2) 70
    All Others (2) 50
  Pontiac
    All (3) 35
Tie Rod-to-Cross Link
  Buick
    All (2) 40
  Cadillac
    All (3) 35
  Chevrolet
    All (1) 40
  Oldsmobile
    Toronado (2) 40
    All Others (2) 40
  Pontiac
    Sunbird, LeMans, Grand Prix (3) 40
    All Others (3) 60
Tie Rod Clamps
  Buick
    Skyhawk 11
    All Others 14
  Cadillac
    Eldorado 22
    All Others 14
  Chevrolet
    Corvette 11
    All Others 14
  Oldsmobile 14
  Pontiac
    Sunbird 11
    All Others 14
(1) Align castellated nut with hole without loosening nut. Do not exceed 50 ft. lbs.
(2) Do not loosen nut to install cotter pin, turn to next hole.
(3) Maximum of 1/6 turn to align cotter pin hole. Do not back off nut to insert cotter pin.