Pitman arm or drag (center) link?

[geoph1986]

Hello all,
I've been here for a while but never posted (I used to be on TRS & RPS before I blew the motor on my '83 ranger) , anything I've needed so far I have been able to find (what a great site this is). I have a bone stock 1994 Explorer XLT 4x4, w/ 338,000km (210,00mi) on it.
Anyway, I have play in my steering linkage. I had a friend turn the steering wheel back and forth while I inspected the front end. I know I have a bit of play in the steering box, but what I noticed is that the pitman arm moved about a 1/2" in each direction before engaging the drag (center) link. So my question is, how do I know if it's the drag link or the pitman arm, or both?
Also, I don't know if this helps but when I'm driving I can turn the wheel left with very little play, but when i turn to the right the steering wheel will do about a 1/4 turn before anything happens.
I'm a pretty handy person with quite a bit of backyard mechanical skills, but I have never had to fix anything in the front end. Most of the stuff I've done pertains to general maintenance (shocks, brakes, bearings, etc.) and swaps (engine & transmission type stuff). Any help I can get would be awesome.
Thanks in advance for any and all input (yes I did search for my answer before posting).

 

[Burns]

I am sure that its gonna be your drag link and not your pitan arm. The pitman arm could be damage if it was cracked or if the drag link was loose and was rubbing the inside of the pitman arm where it connects the two together.

Pull the drag link off. If could possibly be loose. It has saftey clips in it so it wont come off if loose. Check that. You may need some where there.

 

[geoph1986]

I just recently acquired this truck, so I don't know how long the front end has been loose. After the I separate the drag link, is it going to be obvious if the pitman arm has worn out where the drag link attaches? I don't want to put a new link in if it's not going to last because of another worn part. Also, I've never heard of a cracked pitman arm, would that be obvious to spot also?

 

[north/west,ex]

Once separated it will be obvious .I have also found alot of play in the steering colum where it telescopes above the steering box.there is a plastic sleeve that wears inside.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

there is a guy just off higgins, and they are a real good front end shop. they do a lot of framework, and stuff like that. when you turn off main, onto higgins going towards down town, they are on the first one way street. i wish i could remember there name. i brought them my B2 when i had it (it was lifted, and no one wanted to go near it for what ever reason), and they did a good job, cheap. i live near winnipeg, that's how i know.

 

[geoph1986]

Thanks for the input people, I will check out under the plastic on the column, and i will separate the link from the pitman arm to see if the arm is worn. If it's just the link I'll replace it myself, but I'd have to get a shop to do the pitman arm because I no longer have a shop to work in and I've read it can be a real PITA.

there is a guy just off higgins, and they are a real good front end shop.

Are you talking about the shop that's at Princess & Logan? The one that if you didn't know there was a shop there you'd think the building was vacant?

 

[vroomzoomboom]

standard auto spring! that's whats its called, 270 higgins, 943-0791. its on basically the corner of higgins, and king st.