TheSamba.com :: View topic

Fri May 21, 2004 1:10 pm

Hi all, just bought a 68 (with 67 body) Ghia for $850. Pics are here http://img69.photobucket.com/albums/v209/spazmatic...b6fba6e5ec

My Pitman (drop) arm is excessively worn to the point that its starting to tear my relatively new tie rod boots (put in by PO). I've been looking around on the net but can't seem to find any place that sells them. Is it a package deal with the steering box or am I just not looking in the right place? Also can I get the tie rod boots separately or do I have to get new tie rod ends?

Also I found this site http://www.vtr.org/maintain/diy-alignment.html and it kind of interests me. Has anyone ever did there own alignment similar to this or do y'all usually take yours to a shop. I'm not really a cheap-ass but I'd much rather spend the ~$100 of a lifetime alignment on other areas of my Ghia.

TIA
Mike the Spaz

Fri May 21, 2004 1:38 pm

I just took my 70 Ghia to the shop today to have it alligned, after I put in nwe tie rods. I went to a tire store. They did not have the Ghia in their computer. The oldest VW that came up was a 73 Dasher. So, after talking to a few of these guys they agreed to do it without the computer program. They hcarged me 39.95. That's definitely worth it to me.
That's my 2 cents.
Regarding your other question I can't help you. I don't even know that the drop arm is. California Import Parts (cip1.com) has this kind of stuff. You might want to check out their website.
Good luck

Fri May 21, 2004 2:20 pm

Yeah I just got new tires up front cause one was cambered outward and wore down the outside of the tire. Its been mostly taken care of but now needs an alignment but that can't be done till the drop arm is replaced.

The drop arm is the arm which connects the steering box to the tie rods. The end that holds the tie rods is worn out enough that its causing the tie rod ends to sit lower and bind the boots.

I guess what I'm really wondering is if the Pitman comes with the steering box. The car reportedly has over 400k miles on it. If its the original box that could explain the >30 degrees of slop in the steering wheel. or it could just be the arm troubles.

Fri May 21, 2004 2:59 pm

Ask your favorite junk yard. The pitman arm for your ghia is the same as a type 1. I wouldn't pay more than $5-10. Make sure you note which way it goes on the box; don't flip it upside down.

Sun May 23, 2004 7:22 am

Kustom One Warehouse sells the steering arm individually. It's been a couple years, but think I paid about $20. The arm does not come with the steering box if you buy one of those. Also, if I remember correctly, I once ordered an entire front end with all parts from either Kustom One or BugZone for around $450. The car drove like brand new afterwards.