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-   -   How’s your Shortened pitman arm working? (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=262855)

Smooth_One 05-04-2019 08:13 AM

How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?
 

Just wondering All of you out there that have installed the shortened Pitman arm how much of a difference it makes and how do you like it versus stock?

Jeff P. / MN 05-04-2019 08:23 AM

Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?
 

I installed a new one from Snyder’s on my ‘30 Tudor. Steering is much easier. This is the second one I have done. I always use a new one, never a welded one.

CWPASADENA 05-04-2019 08:25 AM

Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?
 

I have a shortened pitman arm on my 30 Tudor that I use for touring. In over 16 K miles, I would not change back to original. I have 19 inch wheels and tires.


It steers easier and I would recommend it for those who have the original steering box.


The steering box must be in good condition as well as the other steering components.


DO NOT use a shortened pitman arm with the F100 conversion. It makes the steering too slow and imprecise.


My opinion,


Chris W.

woofa.express 05-04-2019 09:34 AM

Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?
 

It's like power steering by comparison. However it does put just a little more slop into my sloppy steering and increases the radius of a turn but I recommend them. gary.

burner31 05-04-2019 09:48 AM

Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?
 

I like it, I think you will too.
They are not expensive so throw one on, quick and easy.

katy 05-04-2019 09:49 AM

Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?
 

I installed a new one from Bratton's, steering is easier, I like it.

daveymc29 05-04-2019 10:09 AM

Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?
 

I have a new one, not welded and it works fine with my rebuilt F100 box. Much better than the 7 tooth I had rebuilt. It still turns lock to lock, so I don't seem to suffer the longer turning radius others speak of. I takes more turns to get there but if moving at all it isd a one finger pull on the steering wheel. Made my own box so I cost just about 200 bucks. I used a 56 Ford pickup unit.

Bob Bidonde 05-04-2019 10:16 AM

Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?
 

I liked it so much in my 190A that I bought one for my 45B also.

JtownJoe 05-04-2019 10:57 AM

Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?
 

I put a new one about 5+ years ago and it made a difference with no complaints.

Purdy Swoft 05-04-2019 11:06 AM

Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?
 

I use the shortened pitman arms from Wiley Higgins in Cumming Georgia . I am well pleased and use the shortened pitman arm on most of my model A's . When moving , they steer about as easily as power steering .

Jim Brierley 05-04-2019 11:06 AM

Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?
 

I made one back in 1960 for my widebed, bought one for my tudor with the F-100 box a few years ago and have a AA arm on my speedster. I'm happy with all of them. A shortened arm is even more important if the car has been lowered as everything lines up better.

M2M 05-04-2019 11:19 AM

Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?
 

Everyone is saying they make the steering easier but is there not a downside?

At 45 to 55mph would you notice the loss in steering precision?

Ruth 05-04-2019 11:43 AM

Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveymc29 (Post 1753842)
I have a new one, not welded and it works fine with my rebuilt F100 box. Much better than the 7 tooth I had rebuilt. It still turns lock to lock, so I don't seem to suffer the longer turning radius others speak of.

I have a stock 2 tooth steering box in my '30 Town Sedan and my steering still goes lock to lock also. I don't seem to suffer the longer turning radius others speak of either??

BillCNC 05-04-2019 11:50 AM

Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?
 

What is the length between the centers on the shortened Pitman Arm's?

Regards
Bill

Clem Clement 05-04-2019 11:52 AM

Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?
 

I bought one of Rainmaker Ron's shortened Pitman arms many years ago. Love it.
Miss Ron!

Purdy Swoft 05-04-2019 12:09 PM

Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by M2M (Post 1753882)
Everyone is saying they make the steering easier but is there not a downside?

At 45 to 55mph would you notice the loss in steering precision?

NO , steering radius won't be felt at road speed . Steering radius can only be noticed at maximum left or right turns .

Smooth_One 05-04-2019 02:14 PM

Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff P. / MN (Post 1753790)
I installed a new one from Snyder’s on my ‘30 Tudor. Steering is much easier. This is the second one I have done. I always use a new one, never a welded one.

I just got one from Bert’s and at some spots it’s twice the thickness of the original one. I have not installed it yet.

Smooth_One 05-04-2019 02:15 PM

Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by burner31 (Post 1753826)
I like it, I think you will too.
They are not expensive so throw one on, quick and easy.

I did just pick one up from Bert’s but have not put it on the car yet.

Smooth_One 05-04-2019 02:16 PM

Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by M2M (Post 1753882)
Everyone is saying they make the steering easier but is there not a downside?

At 45 to 55mph would you notice the loss in steering precision?

Great question.

Purdy Swoft 05-04-2019 02:55 PM

Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?
 

It has been said that a shortened pitman arm will increase the turning circle . In other words the car would require a larger area to turn around in a circle . This hasn't been a problem for us . Some have had more problems with the 28-29 models . The problem in sush cases has been that the shortened pitman arm couldn't pull the spindle back quite far enough to reach its stop . This in turn increases the turning circle .


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