Pitman arm 3-groove or 4-groove

[red99ws6]

I am getting ready to order a pitman arm and idler arm to fix my wandering steering. LMC offers a 3-groove and 4-groove for my 2004 Tahoe. When I get online all I see is a 4-groove. I can see the difference on the new one, so I know what the 3 or 4 is talking about. My question is how do I tell which one I have without removing it first. Can't really remove it then wait a week on the part I need. Thanks in advance for any advice.

---------- Post added at 01:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:43 PM ----------

Also I need to know if the steering box has to be removed to get the pitman arm off.

 

[mitch]

Red, I just went thru the same thing with my 03 yukon 2wheel drive. I had to take the nut off the steering box to see that I had a 4 groove arm. I ordered my front end parts thru RockAuto, best price and I got them the next day. I never found out what trucks use the 3 groove instead of 4 groove arms. Good luck, Mitch.

 

[Dynamo]

Sorry to hijack but can you describe the "wandering steering" issue(s) you were having that is causing you to replace those parts?

I had the dealer inspect the steering components recently on my '03 Tahoe (2WD) and they said everything was OK. They aligned it and I also had it aligned again at a tire place. It drives fine for the most part I guess though it seems like steering is really affected the road surface.

 

[red99ws6]

actually mine drives fine for the most part, but is all over the place on rutted roads(close to stop lights or intersections). some road are worse than others but mainly in town and where the lanes are uneven. had it inspected and the mechanic said the pitman arm and idler arm was the only thing he saw with any slack at all, but he said if it was his that he wouldn't change them.