Braços Pitman e peças para Chevrolet Astro

Chevrolet Astro Pitman and Idler Arms

Pitman and idler arms are part of the Chevrolet Astro’s steering mechanism. When these parts fail, steering the Astro will become more difficult. You can find the Chevrolet Astro Pitman and idler arms that fit your Astro and learn about them here.

The Pitman arm is a bar that connects the steering box to the center link. Its purpose is to convert the angular motion of the sector shaft of the steering box to the side-to-side motion needed to turn the wheels. It transmits this motion by pulling the center linkage left and right as the driver turns the steering wheel.

The idler arm is a bar that supports the center link of the steering mechanism on the passenger side of the vehicle. It attaches to the center link with a ball joint and supports it by fixing it to the vehicle’s frame. In this way, the steering mechanism can reach the passenger-side wheel and turn it in tandem with the driver-side wheel.

Because it’s a key linkage between the steering wheel and the wheels, there are a couple clear signs when it begins to fail.

• Poor steering: When the Pitman arm’s joints begin to come loose, the steering will develop excess play. You’ll notice that you have to turn the steering wheel a specific distance before it engages the tires.
• Pulling to the side: A bad Pitman arm can cause your steering to pull to one side or the other continuously, forcing you to compensate with the steering wheel.
• Inconsistent steering: If the Pitman arm is close to breaking off, you’ll notice the steering seems to work sometimes and not at other times or require turning the steering wheel more and then less to achieve the same turn.

There are a couple of signs that the idler arm needs attention.

• Excess play in the steering: This is the symptom that appears with normal wear and tear as the joints attaching the idler arm to the center link become damaged. This will cause the steering to develop a certain amount of wriggle room, meaning that the wheels don’t respond to the steering wheel until its turned a certain distance.
• Passenger side wheel doesn’t steer: If the idler arm breaks off entirely due to some serious mechanical damage, the steering on the passenger side may be less responsive or impossible.