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12-09-2012, 08:16 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Mays Landing, NJ
Posts: 113
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Opinions on using a Shortened Pitman Arm
What do you guys have to say regarding using the imported shortened pitman arm to reduce steering effort?
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12-09-2012, 08:48 PM | #2 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Owen Sound Ont. Canada
Posts: 198
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Re: Opinions on using a Shortened Pitman Arm
Money well spent i have one on each A Grod B by the Bay
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12-09-2012, 09:10 PM | #3 |
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Re: Opinions on using a Shortened Pitman Arm
Snyders now sells them, so no cutting and welding all four of my A's have them
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12-09-2012, 09:23 PM | #4 |
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Location: Eastern CT
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Re: Opinions on using a Shortened Pitman Arm
I cut and welded mine 10 years ago, and I find it to ease steering effort, with no loss of turning radius. I just bought a new one for the coupe. I could have welded another, but a new one was easier.
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12-09-2012, 09:36 PM | #5 |
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Re: Opinions on using a Shortened Pitman Arm
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12-09-2012, 10:02 PM | #6 |
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Mays Landing, NJ
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Re: Opinions on using a Shortened Pitman Arm
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12-09-2012, 10:52 PM | #7 |
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Location: santa cruz, calif
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Re: Opinions on using a Shortened Pitman Arm
the new manufactured ones are the safest. There have been failures with welded ones. Even Henry shortened the pitman arm for 1932. Combine it with round spindle balls and the steering gets much easier. If the spindle balls are .020 out of round, they will contribute to stiff steering. A&L re balls the spindle arms the right way so the ball does not break off. With new smooth surfaces you can use the Teflon buttons, AKA EZ steer kit, in the tie rod and drag link ends which will make it even easier to steer..
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12-10-2012, 02:29 PM | #8 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wa.
Posts: 5,417
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Re: Opinions on using a Shortened Pitman Arm
I agree, a short pitman arm is the way to go for easy steering.
However, I have gone the other way with a longer one on my F100 box along with a linear controlled power assist cylinder. It gives me 3/4 turn lock to lock which is ideal for the type of driving I have come to enjoy most of late. Going FAST down dirt logging roads. I can see why rally racers do what they do. |
12-10-2012, 03:11 PM | #9 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Windy City
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Re: Opinions on using a Shortened Pitman Arm
I tried one on my 40B. Being a light car, I did not feel any significant ease in the steering effort. It did, however make it feel like I was driving a bus with the slowed ratio. I put the stock arm back on. I like the quicker steering and more direct road feel.
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12-10-2012, 03:41 PM | #10 |
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 6
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Re: Opinions on using a Shortened Pitman Arm
I have a shorted pitman arm on one of Model A's. I do not find it to make any difference in the required turning effort. Also, now it takes a lot more area to make a U turn. When I get time, I plan to replace back to an original. Lee
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12-10-2012, 04:22 PM | #11 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southbridge, Ma.
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Re: Opinions on using a Shortened Pitman Arm
I have a new one on my roadster and it makes it easier to turn. The wheels still turn lock to lock so the radius didn't change.
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12-10-2012, 04:39 PM | #12 |
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Re: Opinions on using a Shortened Pitman Arm
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12-10-2012, 04:47 PM | #13 |
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Re: Opinions on using a Shortened Pitman Arm
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12-10-2012, 04:51 PM | #14 |
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Location: Bucks Co, Pa
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Re: Opinions on using a Shortened Pitman Arm
Anyone have any instructions on welding one of these up? Where to make the cut? What rod works best (70/ 8018LH?) Preheat? Cool slowly or quench? I am thinking of drilling it out and putting a 5/16 X 2" rod down the middle, in effect, a spine. Or weld a piece on the back where it can't be seen to bridge over the weld. Jest thinkin'!
Terry |
12-10-2012, 04:51 PM | #15 |
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Re: Opinions on using a Shortened Pitman Arm
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12-10-2012, 04:52 PM | #16 |
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Re: Opinions on using a Shortened Pitman Arm
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12-10-2012, 05:01 PM | #17 |
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Re: Opinions on using a Shortened Pitman Arm
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12-10-2012, 05:13 PM | #18 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Richland Mi.
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Re: Opinions on using a Shortened Pitman Arm
Maybe I called it wrong but there was rubbing. I about started from scratch so maybe I did something wrong. I'll post pictures later.
Last edited by Ross/Kzoo; 12-10-2012 at 05:27 PM. |
12-10-2012, 05:25 PM | #19 | |
Senior Member
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Re: Opinions on using a Shortened Pitman Arm
Quote:
Terry the way i did mine is cut a v take out 1and 1/2 preheat oven 450 the used cast iron rods build with each pass when done pack it in sand and let cool. done this with three none broke couple of thousand miles on each |
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12-10-2012, 05:31 PM | #20 |
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Location: Windy City
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Re: Opinions on using a Shortened Pitman Arm
Cast iron filler rod on a steel forging? Accident waiting to happen.
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