Just my suggestion but here goes:
1. remove the drag link from your pitman arm...don't remove it from the control arm, though. Jack up your front end so that both wheels are off the ground and move them so they point straight ahead.
2. GENTLY turn your steering wheel to the right until you just feel it stop. Do not force the wheel, do not let it bang into the stop...just turn it GENTLY until you feel it stop. Please note I emphasize the word gently.
3. Take a piece of masking tape and attach it to the top of your steering wheel or anywhere else you can use as a visual reference point and GENTLY turn your steering wheel to the left until you just feel it stop...same routine as before but this time count the number of times the piece of masking tape passes by at the top (or your other point of reference). My memory is trying to tell me it might be 3 or 3.5 times. That could be wrong but carefully count the number of complete turns.
4. Now divide that number by two and turn your wheel back to the right by that number. If 3, turn back 1.5, etc.
5. Now things in your steering gear box are centered. At least they're very close to being centered if you did this correctly. Carefully get out of your truck without moving the steering wheel and look to see where your pitman arm is. It should be pointing downward (vertically). As Bill pointed out it can only be installed in 4 locations.
If you are using the stock GM drag link, this can be a good indicator of what is going on here. There is (as others have pointed out) no adjustment, but really in this case that is a good thing. Connect it back to your pitman arm carefully (without moving the pitman arm or your wheels) and see if it appears it will match the ball on your pitman arm correctly.
In your case, I would expect your drag link will not connect to your pitman arm correctly...but that is just a guess on my part.
With your steering box still more or less centered, re-connect your drag link to your pitman arm and tighten it completely. Back off 1turn, insert the cotter pin and then see where your wheels are pointing. You can adjust your tie rod to make them agree with your steering box...more or less. You won't be able to get them exact just by eyeballing things unless you have powers I don't have. I'm assuming you know how to adjust your tie rod. If not that is another story. Good luck and let us know how it goes. Once you have your wheels and steering box in agreement (pointing straight ahead), pull your steering wheel and install it in the right spot to look right.
Edit...if your steering box is more/less centered, your wheels are pointed straight ahead and your pitman arm is pointing toward the ground and your drag link is notably too short or long to connect, as others have said start looking for bent/damaged pieces...particularly the control arm connected to the drivers side wheel. At least I'd start there first and then look at the passenger's side arm.
Last edited by Jon G; 04/18/2024 4:42 PM.
