W126 Pitman Shaft Splines Showing???
 

Upon reinstallation of the steering gearbox into my 85 380SE earlier, I noticed that there is about 1/4 to 1/3 inch of spline still exposed behind the Pitman arm - is this normal? I lined up the index marks on the arm and shaft exactly as they were when I removed them, and everything slipped together just fine. Then I torqued the nut to 135 foot pounds - it was really hard! When I got up off my back and looked at it, I was a little perplexed since I figured all of the spline area would be completely covered by the Pitman arm.

I'm sure everything is fine, and from the front of the shaft everything looks great. Surely I just never noticed the little bit of spline showing behind the arm. But I am very paranoid about this mechanical fit because death is the only result if it ever comes apart. Can someone please confirm that everything is OK?

Thanks in advance!

Everything is OK.

Not sure about that one, but.....

As you know, I also just had the steering box removed from my 85' 380SE to replace the leaking seal. Maybe I am paranoid, but it seems like I have more "slack" in the steering after this, as well as some "pulling" to the left, but it may have been doing this before. Have you noticed more slack?

Does the car need to be aligned after this procedure?

Thanks.

I don't notice any slack, and there shouldn't be any since the Pitman arm is just returned to the original position when reinstalling the gearbox (there are reference marks that you just line up). The steering linkages and tie rods, etc. are not disturbed, so no need to re-align.

cdplayer
 

I feel your intense concern with this repair. I replaced the steering box on my SEC not too long ago. And wondered the same.
As for the splines still visable, your doing just fine. I replaced the steering coupler and the steering dampener too because of the mileage on the car.
Steering is tight and very responsive now. Good luck to you:kid:

Thanks. I was probably just paranoid and trying to notice something wrong. lol.

I do have some slack however and now have that clunking noises when I go over bumps, such as railroad tracks. :rolleyes:

Needs shocks and mounts... Springs wouldnt be a bad idea either, but ur call

~Nate