Pitman arm for a '70 Imperial

Golden Banana

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2013
Messages
667
Reaction score
317
Location
UK
Is this part so hard to find? If not where?
Are they specific to Imperial?
Owner of my shop has tried a 300 pitman arm and said it drives OK with outer rods adjusted!........ I'm expecting a fair bit of scolding on this one!??
 
Your post got to me so I checked. Auto zone has a listing for your car, part number is 20175. They show a different one for a 300 so I would try to get the correct one. Your car may drive well now, but you could end up with a "Bump Steer" issue.
 
G. B., since we're discussing Pitman Arms, I'd like to throw in a quick question and not derail the opening topic.

I had no idea that AZ would have a Pitman Arm for the Imp so I checked for my car and they indeed have not only one, but two.

I bet they are both exactly the same.

Screenshot_2016-10-18-22-27-37-559.jpeg
 
Rare Parts has been the only supplier for the Imperial pitman arms at least through the 1973 model year. Now Rare Parts also has relationships with the major parts stores to also sell their parts through them. Rare Parts takes the originals and rebuilds them to new specifications, and they are always well done if a bit expensive. They may even cast their own arms these days. I would use the one called for - they were different for a reason, but I must admit when I compared them side to side with a regular Chrysler one, I had a hard time seeing the difference, as Stan said. Because of the curavature differences between the arms, it is hard to determine just how much they really vary.
 
Rare Parts has been the only supplier for the Imperial pitman arms at least through the 1973 model year. Now Rare Parts also has relationships with the major parts stores to also sell their parts through them. Rare Parts takes the originals and rebuilds them to new specifications, and they are always well done if a bit expensive. They may even cast their own arms these days. I would use the one called for - they were different for a reason, but I must admit when I compared them side to side with a regular Chrysler one, I had a hard time seeing the difference, as Stan said. Because of the curavature differences between the arms, it is hard to determine just how much they really vary.
Steve, my apologies for not being clear. The pic I posted is for my '76.
 
There are few vendors that have NOS Pitman arms. Brad's NOS Parts and others. You'll pay top dollar for them but nothing beats NOS parts.
 
There are few vendors that have NOS Pitman arms. Brad's NOS Parts and others. You'll pay top dollar for them but nothing beats NOS parts.

Get me a Chrysler part # and I'll check Dealer inventory. Marty may have some info on these as well.
 
It had been said man many times years ago that the Moog and TRW parts were better than the NOS ( Chrysler originals). However now the new Moog parts are not American made and quality has not carried over as it was .I've heard and read this thought from many old time Mopar guys and it rings in my head when I'm buying suspension parts
 
It had been said man many times years ago that the Moog and TRW parts were better than the NOS ( Chrysler originals). However now the new Moog parts are not American made and quality has not carried over as it was .I've heard and read this thought from many old time Mopar guys and it rings in my head when I'm buying suspension parts

For the most part Moog still has great quality parts. A lot better than any other aftermarket manufacturer. Rare Parts is pretty good too. Moog has a problem solver series that is suppose to improve an original NOS design flaw. They really missed the mark on the Formal idler arm. The NOS idler arm fits like a glove and is a one piece set up with the washers integrated in to the idler arm. The Moog problem solver doesn't fit and is in 3 pieces. The idler arm and 2 flat washers that go on each side of the idler arm. As I said, there is no way to get all 3 pieces to fit and align the hole for the mounting bolt to go through all 3 pieces. Either have to find thinner washers or mill the provided washers. It's just a PIA!!!
 
Steve, my apologies for not being clear. The pic I posted is for my '76.

The difference would be for any Imp with a different wheelbase than a standard Chrysler. (pre-74) The additional WB likely makes a small difference in suspension geometry since the extra length comes between the steering wheel and front spindle.
 
Thank-you guys! This forum never ceases to amaze me with your knowledge....... Many thanks!
 
For the most part Moog still has great quality parts. A lot better than any other aftermarket manufacturer. Rare Parts is pretty good too. Moog has a problem solver series that is suppose to improve an original NOS design flaw. They really missed the mark on the Formal idler arm. The NOS idler arm fits like a glove and is a one piece set up with the washers integrated in to the idler arm. The Moog problem solver doesn't fit and is in 3 pieces. The idler arm and 2 flat washers that go on each side of the idler arm. As I said, there is no way to get all 3 pieces to fit and align the hole for the mounting bolt to go through all 3 pieces. Either have to find thinner washers or mill the provided washers. It's just a PIA!!!


Which is why I try to locate NOS Moog parts
 
Back
Top