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6/02/2018 3:18 PM  #1


pitman/idler arm length

I just purchased pitman and idler arms for a 68 Mustang with power steering and noticed they are NOT the same length.  The pitman is 5 3/4" c to c, and the idler is 5 1/4".  I know the pitman is correct - Z9ZA-3590-A.  The idler is a Moog replacement item K8158.  Is this correct?  I always presumed that pitman and idler lengths were the same.

Last edited by pjwelter (6/02/2018 3:19 PM)

 

6/02/2018 5:57 PM  #2


Re: pitman/idler arm length

I've never measured them like that, so I can't say for sure.  The MOOG K8158 is the correct idler arm for your car.  The pitman arm seems to be for a '69 or later car though.  A '68 part would start with a C8 prefix, I do believe that the pitman arms are the same late '67 to '70 though (all 1-1/8" pitman shafts)

They could be different lengths, because each arm moves in an arc.  Both arms are also not necessarily mounted centered on the same line perpendicular to the centerline of the chassis.  If the pitman arm mounts farther forward then it would be shorter.  They key is that they move in the same arc; length is unimportant.  If their arcs were off it would pull the centerlink unevenly and the car could turn faster one direction than the other.  All of this was designed into the car, so I would hazard a guess that if you have stock and/or stock replacement parts that are correct for the year and application then they are correct regardless of any length difference. 

 

6/02/2018 6:27 PM  #3


Re: pitman/idler arm length

Thanks for the information. Appreciated.  From what I understand, the c9za pitman was a replacement item and is essentially identical to the c7za piece.  I will proceed until something shows me I'm headed in the wrong direction.

     Thread Starter
 

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