Re: Stuck in reverse

Posted by Ross On 2009/8/5 21:07:53

About those broken pitman arms: this can happen on any power steering equipped 53-56 when towed backwards without the engine running. Culprit is the steering valve on the end of the pitman arm. With no pressure from the pump there is a good deal of play in the valve. When towed backwards the front wheels can start a back and forth shimmy like a caster on a bad shopping cart, but with enough force that on a long fast tow it will fatigue the pitman arm clean off. TL cars are more prone because the front suspension will settle to its stops when the back is raised which gives more toe-out in the backwards direction, increasing the chance of shimmy. You don't notice any of this in the tow truck until the front of the Patrician comes around and passes you. Use a rollback.