In a steering system, the ______ connects the output shaft of the steering box to the drag link.

• A. Pitman arm
• B. Drag link
• C. Tie rod end
• D. Steering column

Answer: (A)

The Pitman arm is the piece that connects the steering box output shaft to the drag link. When you turn the wheel, the steering box turns its output shaft; the Pitman arm sits on that shaft and pushes and pulls the drag link as it swings. This converts the rotational motion from the steering box into linear, back-and-forth motion that drives the rest of the steering linkage. The drag link then passes that motion on to the center link and tie rods to steer the wheels. The steering column is just the input shaft from the steering wheel, and the tie rod ends and drag link's other positions are joints and links further along in the linkage, not the direct connector from the steering box to the drag link.