Whether your truck is stock height or lifted and running oversized tires, Pitman and Idler arms have always been a problem on the steering systems of the GM vehicles. The Pitman and Idler arm Support kit by Cognito Motorsports fixes a wear problem that is present on the factory and aftermarket steering systems. Aftermarket companies have come out with heavier duty pitman and idler arms that fail the same way that the factory parts do. The design created by Cognito Motorsports solves the problem in an innovative way that no one else has been able to create before. This design works so well that they were able to obtain a UTILITY PATENT.
The problem when not using the Cognito Motorsports Pitman and Idler Arm Support kit: If you are not familiar with how the GM steering system works, here is a quick lesson. The pitman arm is connected to the output shaft of the steering gear box. When you turn the steering wheel of your vehicle, the motion is directed to the steering gear box which then rotates the pitman arm. The pitman arm has a stud protruding from the end of it where the center link connects, also called the drag link. To help control steering motion, the center link is connected to an idler arm on the passenger side of the vehicle. The idler arm is bolted to the frame and swings in the same arc as the pitman arm, and is fastened to the center link the same way the pitman arm is. The two mounting points for the center link give it support in the motion left and right relative to the vehicle, but there is not enough support in the direction of forward to backward relative to the vehicle. This lack of support is what causes the joints inside of the pitman and idler arms to wear out, which provide the pivot and connection point for the center link. The larger the tire is on the vehicle, the faster these joints wear out. Aftermarket companies have come out with beefed up pitman and idler arms, but still have the same premature wear issue in the same joint.
What happens if you are not using the Cognito Motorsports solution? The front alignment toe settings can not be held because of the slop in the pitman and idler arms allowing the center link to move forward and backward. No control over the toe setting means that your front tires will experience irregular and premature wear. When the center link swings toward the back of the truck, it is also swinging up in an arc. The center link swinging up increases the tie rod angle and can cause tie rod breakage. Most tie rod problems actual originate from pitman and idler arm problems.
The Cognito Motorsports Pitman and Idler Arm Solution:
The mechanical engineer at Cognito Motorsports has come up with a non traditional design to fix this problem, and it works GREAT! The support kit can be installed on pitman and idler arms showing a lot of wear, and actually revive them! If the worn parts have approximately 40,000 miles or less on them with a close to stock size tire, they probably will not have to be changed. If the worn parts have approximately 20,000 miles or less on them with larger than 33" tires, they probably will not have to be changed. If the parts have more miles than that on them, it is recommended to replace the pitman and idler arms with factory units and add the Cognito Motorsports Pitman and Idler Arm Support Kit.
The support system works by double capturing the studs that protrude from the pitman and idler arms which the center link connects to. At the same time it still allows the studs to pivot on their own axis which is needed when the steering system is turning. This Cognito Motorsports system provides the support needed to prevent the center link from rocking forward and backward in the vehicle.
**NOW INCLUDES HARDWARE FOR FACTORY OR AFTERMARKET PITMAN AND IDLER ARMS**
The Cognito Motorsports pitman idler arm support kit takes care of the issues with the center link side of the pitman and idler arms. There is however another weak link in the front IFS steering on the 6 and 8lug GM vehicles. The idler pivot assembly tends to wear out, bend, and even break under stress with larger tires. The idler pivot assembly is what the idler arm is mounted to, and pivots on.
Play in the idler pivot can cause major tie rod issues. If the idler pivot assembly has an issue, the idler arm is able to move uncontrollably. As this happens you will have drastic tie rod angle changes. In certain instances a bent or failed part can cause complete disaster to your front end. Some damages may include: idler arm rubbing the transmission oil cooler lines or motor mount, pitman arm, idler arm, and tie rod breakage. Most tie rod problems stem from worn or damaged pitman and idler arms or idler pivot assembly.
The Cognito Motorsports Idler Pivot Arm Solution:
Cognito offers an aftermarket idler pivot assembly in order to strengthen your weak stock parts. The aftermarket Idler Pivot assembly has tapered roller bearings, adding strength and durability, thus creating a solid pivot point for your steering components. It doesn't stop there. The idler pivot assembly mounting tabs tend to twist or even dislodge from the frame. Included with the kit is a weld in gusset in order to strengthen the weak factory mounting tabs. This kit is highly recommended, even more important than adding the heavy duty heim jointed tie rods.
Tie Rod Upgrade Kits
Overview: The factory unit is notorious for bending where the threads meet the outer tie rod. Another weak spot on the factory assembly is the inner ball and socket.
The Cognito Motorsports Tie Rod Solution:
Option #1 = Race / Street Tie Rod Steering Kit
Strength: The Cognito tie rod adjuster tubes are made from 1" diameter DOM steel tubing. These replace the factory adjusters which neck down to about ½" at the threads. The rod ends have a ¾" shank and body, but with a 5/8" hole for the mounting points. The rod ends are Teflon lined, which means they are self lubricating.
Option #2 = OE Style Heavy Duty Tie-Rods
Grease Fittings: Extra heavy duty OEM style tie rod kit. Joints have the same weather protection as the factory joints, but are almost twice the size! No more bending the adjuster shaft either, this unit has more than twice the cross sectional area than the factory adjuster.
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