bent pitman arm

[LopezCarguy]

While restoring front assembly I have been replacing all the ball..then I came to pitman arm...the ball was twisted to side considerably, like as if someone ran into a curb..Real Hard...and drag link pushed ball back...question is: I heated pitman red hot in order to bend ball back in line before replacing ball...is this pitman safe or by heating have I compramised the strength?? They are not expensive, but I try to restore everything that is original if possible...