2000 silverado z71 pitman arm change problems

schamberlin1985 · April 12, 2012

I had my pitman arm changed on my 2000 silverado z71 and now i am having problems with the steering, when i turn a corner i have to turn the wheel straight, it keeps turning, will not straighten out on its own.? I don't know if they did something at the shop or did the steering box go bad..

Easytide · April 13, 2012

sounds like someone either adjusted the steering gear without asking or over torqued the pitman arm nut,which is more then likely.If thats the case,the steering gear shaft bearing preload is ruined,best to bring it up with the service mgr.

gmtech4 · April 13, 2012

sounds like someone either adjusted the steering gear without asking or over torqued the pitman arm nut,which is more then likely.If thats the case,the steering gear shaft bearing preload is ruined,best to bring it up with the service mgr.

what ???

im thinking you have some misinfo goin on

ChevyTech77 · April 13, 2012

You can't "over torque" a pitman arm nut and cause this damage.

Either someone went adjusting the over center adjustment on the gear and messed it up OR, they have the relay rod on upside down.

Duelin · April 13, 2012

Have you taken it back to the shop that did the repair? If not take it back and have it corrected.

gmtech4 · April 13, 2012

You can't "over torque" a pitman arm nut and cause this damage.

Either someone went adjusting the over center adjustment on the gear and messed it up OR, they have the relay rod on upside down.

lol,i was gonna say that but was in a good mood ...........lmao !!!

56Ford · November 17, 2013

I can answer this. BECAUSE I made the same mistake that the shop did.

It turns out that the whole relay rod assemble which connects to the idler and the pitman arm is REVERSIBLE. So when the whole thing is taken out it is possible to install it backwards. There is some offset to the assembly at the ends. Anyway when it is put in wrong, at the extreme limits of turning it leads to no returnablility of the wheels. I found this through my local GMC dealer who found a TSB regarding "Crow Hopping". I know this subject has long come and gone for the original poster, but maybe someone else may need it.