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Pitman Arm Sizes

Moparfiend

Moparfiend

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Hey can anyone give me the skinny on what sizes of pitman arms were used on the 1970 Satellite with PS and a small block? The one I got from Moog was too small it measured 1” diameter.

Apparently there is a “Large Sector” pitmans but not sure what was used and on what back then from the factory.

From the research I got here and other sources:
1” Factory standard 62-70 bbody
Large sector is a 1-1/8 used 71 up bbody
and 1-1/4 used ?.

Is this right? If the 1” didn’t fit so does that mean my steering box was changed? It looked original given its surroundings…..

Thanks for taking the time to read and respond.
Ron
 
I know when I had Firm Feel rebuild my friends 1969 RR steering gear they asked what size the lower pitman arm shaft was. I told them and they sent me an already rebuilt one. They told me if it was the smaller shafted one they didn't want the core. Turns out it was the larger one so I sent them the core. As far as I know it was the OE steering gear for the car. I don't remember the size though but 1 1/8 sounds about right. I guess it really depended on the car setup. Perhaps a standard Belvedere with a 318 or slant 6 got the small sector power steering box and the big block cars got the larger ones? Not really sure.

Just found this thread. Looks like a good read. how to identify ps steering gear box?
 
I think it was a year change. Seems to me Firm Feel said 1973 and newer had the larger sector. I know when they did the box for the 69 they told me I would be getting the large sector and said the pitman arm would readily available and more reasonable cost wise. Going back to the posters 1970 there is a difference between manual and power boxes.
 
How did you get a PITMAN ARM from MOOG ???
The correct PITMAN ARM has been Obsolete / Discontinued for over 20 years…..

If you have a K780 MOOG PITMAN ARM , I will buy it in a minute…..
 
mobileparts said:
How did you get a PITMAN ARM from MOOG ???
The correct PITMAN ARM has been Obsolete / Discontinued for over 20 years…..

If you have a K780 MOOG PITMAN ARM , I will buy it in a minute…..
Click to expand...
That might be part of the problem. It was an evay buy. The part box did NOT have a part number. It was a bit too small and we put the old one back on. I can’t get to it to measure it.

The question I have still stands. What was used on these 1970 bbodies from the factory? Was the 1” standard and the large sector a 1-1/8”?
 
BeepBeepRR said:
I know when I had Firm Feel rebuild my friends 1969 RR steering gear they asked what size the lower pitman arm shaft was. I told them and they sent me an already rebuilt one. They told me if it was the smaller shafted one they didn't want the core. Turns out it was the larger one so I sent them the core. As far as I know it was the OE steering gear for the car. I don't remember the size though but 1 1/8 sounds about right. I guess it really depended on the car setup. Perhaps a standard Belvedere with a 318 or slant 6 got the small sector power steering box and the big block cars got the larger ones? Not really sure.

Just found this thread. Looks like a good read. how to identify ps steering gear box?
Click to expand...
Thanks this is helpful. But I am not sure if it makes sense given my limited experience. Also wondering what is the standard method of measuring the splined shaft. I would think its from flat to flat and not on the splines. Anyway was wondering who really knows this subject well enough to be definitive.
 
@Kern Dog I think knows about the pitman arms more than I do I just know what Firm Feel said. I wish I knew more.
 
Moparfiend said:
Hey can anyone give me the skinny on what sizes of pitman arms were used on the 1970 Satellite with PS and a small block? The one I got from Moog was too small it measured 1” diameter.

Apparently there is a “Large Sector” pitmans but not sure what was used and on what back then from the factory.

From the research I got here and other sources:
1” Factory standard 62-70 bbody
Large sector is a 1-1/8 used 71 up bbody
and 1-1/4 used ?.

Is this right? If the 1” didn’t fit so does that mean my steering box was changed? It looked original given its surroundings…..

Thanks for taking the time to read and respond.
Ron
Click to expand...

Moparfiend said:
That might be part of the problem. It was an evay buy. The part box did NOT have a part number. It was a bit too small and we put the old one back on. I can’t get to it to measure it.

The question I have still stands. What was used on these 1970 bbodies from the factory? Was the 1” standard and the large sector a 1-1/8”?
Click to expand...

A 1970 Satellite with power steering was originally equipped with a small sector shaft power steering gear, or "box", with matching small sector pitman arm.

Small Sector:
All 1962 - 1972 B-bodies, 1960 - 1972 A-bodies, and 1970 - 1972 E-bodies (except cars equipped with the "TA" box) were originally equipped with the small sector shaft power steering gear. The small sector shaft roughly measures 1-1/8" near the top of the splines on the shaft. The original nut that retains the pitman arm on the shaft has a hex size of 1-1/8".

Large Sector:
All 1973 and later A, B, C, D, E, F, J, M-bodies, all E-bodies with the "TA" box, all C-bodies and D-bodies (Imperial), and all 1971-1993 B-series vans were originally equipped with the large sector shaft power steering gear. The large sector shaft roughly measures 1-1/4" near the top of the splines on the shaft. The original nut that retains the pitman arm on the shaft has a hex size of 1-5/16".


The following image shows a small sector shaft pitman arm for pre-1973 B-bodies (top) and 1973-later B-bodies and more (bottom):
PXL_20250417_232139337.jpg


Measuring the actual spline diameter is a little ambiguous, but the following two images show measuring, roughly, the diameter of the opening at the top inner edge of the splines. Note that the measurement is a little smaller than the outer edge of the splines and less than the measurement of the sector shaft splines slightly above where the pitman arm sits. The steering sector shaft is tapered for a wedged fit to the pitman arm itself.

NOS Moog K-780 for pre-1973 B-bodies:
PXL_20250417_232116272.MP.jpg


Moog K-7076 for 1973-later B-bodies and more:
PXL_20250417_231955352.jpg


NOS Chrysler C-body:
PXL_20250417_234506658.jpg


C-body and early B-body compared:
PXL_20250417_234528211.jpg
 
Last edited:
Very nice write up , Vaanth , with Beautiful pictures and comparisons…. ( The site should make this a “ sticky “ )

I especially like that *** N.O.S. *** MOOG *** K780 ***
Box !!!

One addition :
1973 - 1976 — w / Power Steering === K7076 MOOG
1973 - 1976 — w / Manual Steering == K7075 MOOG

( I like the garage , too …. )
Craig….
 
Good Job Wayne / DeltaV ,
This will help people repeatedly and often…
Intelligent Move !!!!
Yours, Craig….
 
Thank you very much! This is exactly what I was interested in! This indeed will be very helpful for all those that follow in our paths!
 
Vaanth said:
A 1970 Satellite with power steering was originally equipped with a small sector shaft power steering gear, or "box", with matching small sector pitman arm.

Small Sector:
All 1962 - 1972 B-bodies, 1960 - 1972 A-bodies, and 1970 - 1972 E-bodies (except cars equipped with the "TA" box) were originally equipped with the small sector shaft power steering gear. The small sector shaft roughly measures 1-1/8" near the top of the splines on the shaft. The original nut that retains the pitman arm on the shaft has a hex size of 1-1/8".

Large Sector:
All 1973 and later A, B, C, D, E, F, J, M-bodies, all E-bodies with the "TA" box, all C-bodies and D-bodies (Imperial), and all 1971-1993 B-series vans were originally equipped with the large sector shaft power steering gear. The large sector shaft roughly measures 1-1/4" near the top of the splines on the shaft. The original nut that retains the pitman arm on the shaft has a hex size of 1-5/16".


The following image shows a small sector shaft pitman arm for pre-1973 B-bodies (top) and 1973-later B-bodies and more (bottom):
View attachment 1838601

Measuring the actual spline diameter is a little ambiguous, but the following two images show measuring, roughly, the diameter of the opening at the top inner edge of the splines. Note that the measurement is a little smaller than the outer edge of the splines and less than the measurement of the sector shaft splines slightly above where the pitman arm sits. The steering sector shaft is tapered for a wedged fit to the pitman arm itself.

NOS Moog K-780 for pre-1973 B-bodies:
View attachment 1838600

Moog K-7076 for 1973-later B-bodies and more:
View attachment 1838599

NOS Chrysler C-body:
View attachment 1838605

C-body and early B-body compared:
View attachment 1838606
Click to expand...
Very thorough write up. Should be a sticky. Thank you from all who will be helped out of their dilemma with this information. Great job...
 
I believe in these discussions to head off any misconceptions the engineering desirablely of the large vs small sector should at least be mentioned. It does not appear the issue will ever be considered settled. Is a larger spline more resistant to torgue loads, absolutely.
Is sector twist a significant factor here and important, yet to be proven. Do we know the real reasons Mopar made the different sectors? Nope.
Does everybody have their own guess why, apparently. :rofl:
 
j-c-c-62 said:
I believe in these discussions to head off any misconceptions the engineering desirablely of the large vs small sector should at least be mentioned. It does not appear the issue will ever be considered settled. Is a larger spline more resistant to torgue loads, absolutely.
Is sector twist a significant factor here and important, yet to be proven. Do we know the real reasons Mopar made the different sectors? Nope.
Does everybody have their own guess why, apparently. :rofl:
Click to expand...
Twisted one clean off in my 64 Polara. Got hit in the front tire. Bent the centerlink too. They figured it out early but questions seem to linger
 
I learned a long time ago the answer. I learned it in High School by my girlfriend. She had the answer. ALWAYS a large sector was better according to her.
 
Moparfiend said:
I learned a long time ago the answer. I learned it in High School by my girlfriend. She had the answer. ALWAYS a large sector was better according to her.
Click to expand...
She "was" your GF until she found a larger "sector" is what you are saying?:luvplace:
 
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