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lner JP
Samba Member
Joined: March 09, 2024
Posts: 46
Location: UK
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 Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2024 1:46 am Post subject: Loose Pitman Arm |
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My 1973 Torsion Bar beetle has an alarming amount of slop in the steering that I've been trying to solve for months, the problem appeared to be in the steering box but whilest adjusting it for the forth time this morning I noticed that the Pitman arm was slightly loose where it connects to the Gearbox shaft, allowing for about 2 to 3 inches of slop in the steering.
I nipped up the bolt by 1/4 turn and now all seems tight and good, but should I be concerned, I belive the Pitman arm and steering box are original it still had the VW locking tab on the Pitman arm bolt, so why would it be loose?
Is there wear in the Pitman arm or Steering box output shaft, do I need to replace them? or now it's tightend do I just forget about it?
Cheers
JP |
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challomoner
Samba Member
Joined: October 13, 2010
Posts: 1290
Location: IRELAND
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| Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2024 2:11 am Post subject: Re: Loose Pitman Arm |
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I had this happen a couple of years back , my steering went from nice and tight to sloppy overnight. Turned out the pitman arm had dropped slightly and wasn't fully engaged with the splines on the output shaft. I adjusted the arm back up on the splines and tightened the nut and it's been fine ever since.
If you've been driving it with a loose arm you may want to check the splines and the pitman arm for damage. |
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olnick
Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2010
Posts: 44
Location: Milford NH USA
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| Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 2:02 pm Post subject: Re: Loose Pitman Arm |
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| my 68 bug did the same thing in 2018 at 31,696 miles! today 7/15/25 it is loos again!?!?!?! at 51,412 In 2018 I cleaned the splines added a 50MM long bolt to allow a locknut on the end of it and it still got loose. The steering box cross shaft seal leaks and keeps the splines "WELL" oiled. I'll try the clean and tighten again however the need to re do this every 20,000 miles is going to get old really quick. I'm going to clean then "RED LOCKTITE" both spline surfaces and use a puller when the time comes to remove it! |
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KTPhil 
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 35882
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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| Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 2:59 pm Post subject: Re: Loose Pitman Arm |
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If you replace a bolt or nut, use appropriately hardened parts.
Also check it is properly clamped to the beam.
_________________
Current Fleet:
- '71 Fastback
- '69 Westfalia
Retired:
- '67 Beetle
- '65 Beetle (x2)
- '65 Bus
- '71 Squareback |
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jinx758
Samba Member
Joined: October 04, 2014
Posts: 1024
Location: half a bubble from plumb
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| Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 4:42 pm Post subject: Re: Loose Pitman Arm |
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EVERY
bolt on a vehicle has a torque specification assigned for a reason.
If anything is questionable double check.
R&R-ed both wife's struts on her old daily, an '02 Voyager. Called for 65ftlbs + 90degree turn. Scribed everything before disassembly. Drove as it should for 11mos without tire wear.
Then bigger problems arose & not related to suspension.
Good luck ... stay safe
jinx
_________________
" It's not valuable unless you learn something from an experience. " Henry Ford
It's not unlike the same difference ...
My Craigslist rescued 100 footer :
1971 Standard Bug
1776cc dual port
034 distributor
38mm EGAS Carburetor |
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