Need to replace pitman arm and drag link, 2006 gmc

[trophyhunt]

2006 duramax with a 6" lift, need to replace the pitman arm and drag link.  But without taking it apart, how do I know how many splines it is? Rockauto has ones with 32 and 33 spines.  I'd like to order before I take apart if possible, thanks.

[BDildine]

might give your local "reputable" parts house a call and see if theres a vin/year break where they changed or if there's any easy way of telling before you take it apart 

[bowNarrow]

I googled and found this

http://www.duramaxdiesels.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50543

[trophyhunt]

Thank you, trying to get the pitman off today, pain in the azz.  Still working on getting it off. Try more tomorrow

[Happy Gilmore]

The dealer gave me a transmission fluid flush because it took them 5 hours longer than planned. The good ole' bullet proof GM front ends everyone who owns them says last so much longer than Fords and Dodges...lol. I didn't do ball joints until 175K. Pitman, drag link etc went at 110K on the Duramax... Woman owned, highway driven. Cost more than Upper and Lowers on the F-350.

[trophyhunt]

The dealer gave me a transmission fluid flush because it took them 5 hours longer than planned. The good ole' bullet proof GM front ends everyone who owns them says last so much longer than Fords and Dodges...lol. I didn't do ball joints until 175K. Pitman, drag link etc went at 110K on the Duramax... Woman owned, highway driven. Cost more than Upper and Lowers on the F-350.

I have a 6'' lift so I'm assuming that's why I'm having these problems, but it does have about 110,000 miles on it.  going to change the pitman and Idler arm first and see if that fixes my issues.  My neighbor and I are doing it so that is saving me some coin!

[Happy Gilmore]

Bone stock over here. The 2002 Duramax has had them done twice. Now at 270K. The F 350 is at 245K with one set of Uppers and lowers I did myself.

[raydog]

Had to cut mine off of my cummins with a grinder and thin blade. Don't add heat, i guess you'll melt the seals.

[trophyhunt]

Well, put the new pitman and idler arm on tonight, took a drive and I still have a clunk as we go down the road.  Replacing outer tie rods tomorrow and look at the engine mounts.  Sure thought we'd fixed it, oh well.

[fishngamereaper]

Are your upper a_arms offset to reduce the angle of your CV's and your upper ball joints. My 6" lift on my HD wore those out real quick.

[jeffro]

Every one I know, including myself,  that has put an after market lift on these trucks have had the same issues.
Ball joints, most steering components, u joints, cv's etc......
It just wasn't designed for those angles or loads.
My last lifted GMC was a '01 2500hd 8.1L long bed crew cab
Put a 7.5" lift (Superlift) and 36's on it at 50k,
When those tires (Toyo MT) wore out (85k) I did the fender cut outs and flares to run 38's, still rubbed at full lock turn.
At 110k I had to replace all the moving parts of the front end,
The mechanic at the dealership that did the work said It was the price of doing business, if you can't afford the maintainence, don't lift the truck.
Had over 200k on my last two, stock height and tires, zero issues.

[trophyhunt]

The upper a arms are fairly flat, and I agree jeffre, it's just not worth lifting them.  I've been to two suspension places to see about taking the lift off. Too expensive

[Happy Gilmore]

Same happens bone stock... Crickets chirping from Chevy guys who poo poo ford and dodge ball joints. Lol. If you Chevy and your tires chunk out funny... Ding... Hmmm

[Dhoey07]

Same happens bone stock... Crickets chirping from Chevy guys who poo poo ford and dodge ball joints. Lol. If you Chevy and your tires chunk out funny... Ding... Hmmm

I did my  upper's, lowers, inners and outers on my bone stock Dakota at 140K.  I have 105k on my lifted duramax now with nothing done to it..yet.  Grease every 6 months, so far so good.

[Miles]

Well, put the new pitman and idler arm on tonight, took a drive and I still have a clunk as we go down the road.  Replacing outer tie rods tomorrow and look at the engine mounts.  Sure thought we'd fixed it, oh well.

A "clunk", huh?   Have you thought about checking the intermediate steering shaft?

[Woodchuck]

Well, put the new pitman and idler arm on tonight, took a drive and I still have a clunk as we go down the road.  Replacing outer tie rods tomorrow and look at the engine mounts.  Sure thought we'd fixed it, oh well.

A "clunk", huh?   Have you thought about checking the intermediate steering shaft?

[trophyhunt]

Soooo, it is fixed, no more clunk!!!   So, it ended up being a undersized bolt that was put on before I bought the truck.  I don't know what they are called but the long bars that run from the front suspension to the middle of the truck.  The bar was lose and clunking.  Put a 2.00 9/16 bolt in, and no more clunk!! Not mad at all that we replaced the pit man and idler, they were sloppy anyway.  Can't belive it came down to a 1/2" bolt!    Go GMC!!!!   Thanks for the input guys. 

[Stein]

That's the best kind of repair.  The previous owner probably made an emergency repair during a hunting trip and said "I'll fix it right when I get home."

[trophyhunt]

That's the best kind of repair.  The previous owner probably made an emergency repair during a hunting trip and said "I'll fix it right when I get home."

your probably correct! 

[Happy Gilmore]

You'll probably do it again sooner with a lift. My 02 has had two and 03 just done. No lift and both all road miles trucks. More $$ than ball joints on a ford to do it right.