Do I have a dropped pitman arm?

NM2012CherryJK

New member

• Jul 16, 2015

• #1

Hey guys I'm trying see if I have a dropped pitman arm. The previous owner installed a lift with nothing but drop brackets. So this past month I have been correcting all that. Installed drag link flip with track bar relocation bracket. Adjustable control arms and new tierod and draglink and axle shafts. I'm not sure if it had a dropped pitman arm however. It drives fine didn't even put the steering stabilizer back on. Any help would be great thanks.

 

cozdude

Guy with a Red 2-Door

• Jul 16, 2015

• #2

Yea it looks like you do have a dropped pitman arm.

 

NM2012CherryJK

New member

• Jul 16, 2015

• #3

Okay thanks I thought so. Should I switch it back to stock now? Would it hurt if I leave it on for a while. I just got the alignment done. Thanks.

 

Rebel JK

New member

• Jul 16, 2015

• #4

Try hitting a few good bumps on the right and see if you still think it drives fine. I'd think you may feel some bumpsteer as your DL and track bar will move at 2 different axis's. Rule of thumb is they should be parallel. Id pick up a stock pitman arm.

 

cozdude

Guy with a Red 2-Door

• Jul 16, 2015

• #5

NM2012CherryJK said:

Okay thanks I thought so. Should I switch it back to stock now? Would it hurt if I leave it on for a while. I just got the alignment done. Thanks.

Click to expand...

If you do have one then your steering will be out of whack and not in line like it should. If you can see your drag link and track bar are not parallel which they should

 

Last edited: Jul 16, 2015

NM2012CherryJK

New member

• Jul 16, 2015

• #6

Rebel JK said:

Try hitting a few good bumps on the right and see if you still think it drives fine. I'd think you may feel some bumpsteer as your DL and track bar will move at 2 different axis's. Rule of thumb is they should be parallel. Id pick up a stock pitman arm.

Click to expand...

Okay will do. Will that correct the steering then? Will I have to get another alignment done? Thanks.

 

Rebel JK

New member

• Jul 16, 2015

• #7

Nope. Changing pitman arm wont affect Caster/ alignment.

 

NM2012CherryJK

New member

• Jul 16, 2015

• #8

Rebel JK said:

Nope. Changing pitman arm wont affect Caster/ alignment.

Click to expand...

Okay cool thanks. Do you know where I could pick one up that's not crazy expensive? Thanks.

 

U

upnover

Member

• Jul 16, 2015

• #9

Man that looks crazy, did they flipped the drag link and put a drop pitman arm on?

 

NM2012CherryJK

New member

• Jul 16, 2015

• #10

upnover said:

Man that looks crazy, did they flipped the drag link and put a drop pitman arm on?

Click to expand...

The drop pitman arm was done by the previous owner when they put the lift on. They had a drop bracket for the track bar on the frame side. I'm trying to correct everything I just got done installing the drag link flip and getting rid of the drop bracket on the frame side and noticed that it looked like it had a dropped pitman arm. But as I didn't install the lift wasn't sure.

 

Rebel JK

New member

• Jul 16, 2015

• #11

NM2012CherryJK said:

Okay cool thanks. Do you know where I could pick one up that's not crazy expensive? Thanks.

Click to expand...

I think crown has them, but you can look/ask around. In the mean time you should check the torque on your dropped arm. Ask me how I know, I'm slowly re doing mine also. (bought used jk w lift)

 

NM2012CherryJK

New member

• Jul 16, 2015

• #12

Rebel JK said:

I think crown has them, but you can look/ask around. In the mean time you should check the torque on your dropped arm. Ask me how I know, I'm slowly re doing mine also. (bought used jk w lift)

Click to expand...

Okay cool thanks. Yea the person that had it before really cheeped out on it but drop brackets for everything. If it's not one thing it's another but I think once I get the pitman arm back to stock I should be good for the front just need a drive shaft.

 

NM2012CherryJK

New member

• Jul 16, 2015

• #13

Does anyone have a write up on installing a pitman arm or is it pretty straight forward? Any tricks or tips. Thanks!!

 

cozdude

Guy with a Red 2-Door

• Jul 16, 2015

• #14

NM2012CherryJK said:

Does anyone have a write up on installing a pitman arm or is it pretty straight forward? Any tricks or tips. Thanks!!

Click to expand...

Should be pretty straight forward

 

NM2012CherryJK

New member

• Jul 16, 2015

• #15

cozdude said:

Should be pretty straight forward

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Okay cool thanks.

 

U

upnover

Member

• Jul 16, 2015

• #16

Just make sure you get a puller, it can be a pain to get it off the sector shaft.

 

M_Savage

Caught the Bug

• Jul 16, 2015

• #17

man this thread is now making me question mine. Can anyone post a picture of what a stock pitman arm looks like so i can get a visual on the difference?

 

NM2012CherryJK

New member

• Jul 16, 2015

• #18

upnover said:

Just make sure you get a puller, it can be a pain to get it off the sector shaft.

Click to expand...

Will do thanks!!

 

jeeeep

Hooked

• Jul 16, 2015

• #19

make sure you tie your steering wheel to keep it from moving or you'll throw the clock spring out of whack....

put straps on it on both sides to keep it from moving- I used straps from each side of the steering wheel out the window and strapped to my rock rails to keep it from turning.

 

Last edited: Jul 16, 2015

NM2012CherryJK

New member

• Jul 16, 2015

• #20

jeeeep said:

make sure you tie your steering wheel to keep it from moving or you'll through the clock spring out of whack....

put straps on it on both sides to keep it from moving- I used straps from each side of the steering wheel out the window and strapped to my rock rails to keep it from turning.

Click to expand...

okay cool thanks for the tip.