Chevy pitman arm failure ??

[winter brew]

Who has seen or heard of the Pitman Arm joint shearing off on newer Chevy's?
Just curious how common this is and if there is a GOOD fix.
Happened to a friend yesterday, 25,000 miles on a '08 Chevy w/4" lift (done right) and 35" tires.....I know this doesn't help, but complete loss of steering on a truck driven 100% on the hiway at low miles seems pretty scary! Luckily not on the freeway or it would have been bad!

 

[coolx2]

Happened to a frieinds 05 duramax, but his had been hit previously.

 

[AndrettiDog]

Look to THESE GUYS when you fix it.

 

[SLDHVN]

cognito can fix that

i have had to replace my pitman and idler arms a few times, sucks...

 

[B C]

They do get play in them w/ miles and years, but I've never seen one shear completely off. Did it have play and give him any warning? We are not a huge dealership, but 85%of our business is pickups and I've never seen it. I've got money the lift had something to do w/ it, JMO though. I'm not too worried, the Cognito stuff is already on mine.

 

[blackcat900]

Who has seen or heard of the Pitman Arm joint shearing off on newer Chevy's?
Just curious how common this is and if there is a GOOD fix.
Happened to a friend yesterday, 25,000 miles on a '08 Chevy w/4" lift (done right) and 35" tires.....I know this doesn't help, but complete loss of steering on a truck driven 100% on the hiway at low miles seems pretty scary! Luckily not on the freeway or it would have been bad!

torsion bars cranked up too high cause incorrect angles on your steering parts cause premature wear. With the 4" lift done right you will not clear 35" tires, those trucks will rub with a 6" lift and 35's. Thats my .02 since I have lifted many of those profesionaly.

 

[SledsWest]

My pitman arms were shot when I bought my 06 dmax 2500 a few months back. The idiot before me had the t-bars cranked up and it wreaked havoc on my front end. I replaced everything with the 4" cognito lift kit and ilder/pitman arms and she rides better than a stock 1500 now. I highly recommend the cognito hardware. Its beefier and built better and puts the angles where they need to be to reduce the stresses on the steering parts.

 

[winter brew]

They do get play in them w/ miles and years, but I've never seen one shear completely off. Did it have play and give him any warning? We are not a huge dealership, but 85%of our business is pickups and I've never seen it. I've got money the lift had something to do w/ it, JMO though. I'm not too worried, the Cognito stuff is already on mine.

No warning, it had just been at the dealer getting a shock replaced under warranty. Sheared completely off.
He knows the lift and big tires doesn't help, and I think by the way the truck sits the tortion bars are likely cranked up alot.
I think he will go with the Cognito brace and ease off the tortion bars....or just sell it! He's paranoid now, and I can't blame him.

 

[Highmarker]

Yeah torsion bars have to be way jacked up....I have a 4" on mine and had to trim a little bit to even fit 33"s. Love chevy trucks but those front ends are junk. Especially with a lift! If i ever lift another truck it is going to be a SFA