[Westmus]

What is those 2 "wings" you can see on the first pic on top of the pitman? It don't look like anything I recognize.

 

[Westmus]

You'd be surprised what any layer of paint on either the sector or splined area of the Pitman arm will do....

.... and some lube on the thread and face of the nut. The nut will push a lot harder with the same torque applied when lubed vs. dry.

 

[Westmus]

My mind went straight in the gutter . . . .

A lot of wrenching amateurs have no idea on how big a difference on the clamping force, the conditions of surfaces actually make when tighten a bolt or nut.