how do you know when your pittman arm is worn out? symptoms?

 

Usually the first symptom is a really annoying squeak when you turn the wheels. You can have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth with the engine off and watch the pivot stud on the arm for any movement. Really the only thing that can wear on the pitman arm is that joint.

 

hmmm... would it be a kind of a deep squeek, almost goose like honk from the steering column?

 

I doubt if you would mistake it as coming from the column. A squeaky pitman arm usually makes a high pitched noise that sounds like it's coming from the front end. You need to make sure it is the pitman arm before throwing parts at it though, worn and dry tie rod ends or ball joints can make the same type of noise.