Pitman Arm

[SCBlake1988]

Hi I have a 1986 Nissan 720 (manufactured in mid 85). I am about to replace ball joints, tie rods, center link, etc (thanks to Fastman's guides). Shop told me that my Pitman Arm was worn out because there was so much play in the wheels when up on lift. Has anyone had a Pitman Arm go? Could the problem actually just be tie rods, etc that is causing the play? I'm having a hard time even finding a Pitman Arm in stock anywhere online (48502-09W00). I ordered a MOOG Pitman Arm (MOOG-K9006) but it looks like it is not the right size as the OEM has more arc.

A rep at the local Nissan dealership told me that these things usually don't go out, which makes me think it may not be necessary to replace Pitman Arm.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[xsdg]

Note that the RWD and 4WD Pitman arms are different and incompatible. I couldn't find a RWD arm online, and ended up pulling one from a local Pick-n-Pull when the right truck showed up. I used the harbor freight Pitman Arm puller and it worked like a charm.

As far as where the play is coming from, get under there with a flashlight and have someone sit in the driver seat and wiggle the steering wheel back and forth. Alternately, lock the steering wheel, jack up the front _onto jack stands_ and have someone wiggle the front wheels side-to-side while you watch the linkages.