Pitman Arm Alignment, Straight or Twisted?

[Fullraceflathead]

I think I know the answer to this but here it goes.
My Pitman Arm Ball has a twist maybe 10 degrees from the steering box end.
I think it is bent, correct? Yes I know the Ball is shot! I have one of the short Pitman Arms on order.
It seems to me it would take a lot of force to bend it. A serious wreck?
My Roadster pickup has never been wrecked, unless it's had the frame and entire front sheetmetal replaced.
I also found one of the Springs broken in two in the Radius Rod.
And to think this all started when I decided to Replace the King Pins and Bushings. Every thing I have checked so far either needs rebuilding or to be replaced. I'm Glad it's all things I'm capable of doing though.

[Marco Tahtaras]

The steering arm definitely had a twist. I don't have one in front of me but would think it's more like 15 degrees.

Now that you have the pics up, I'd say 20 degrees!

[Joe K]

I think the twist is built in - made that way to make the pitman/drag link action match the wider stance of the steering arm - and keep the seal flat against it's flat on the pitman arm.

The George DeAngelis Book "The Model A Ford as Henry Built It" shows a segment of the engineering drawing of the front end which shows this detail "top view."

I'm Glad it's all things I'm capable of doing though.

One of those things of life I take great pleasure in. A car that can be totally disassembled with a pair of vise grips and a screwdriver. (punny)

Joe K

[Big hammer]

Trick question? New pitman arm on order:-) Fixed

[RUNNERBUN]

They definitely have a twist from new. That doesn't look damaged to me. Just wait till you get the shortened arm and compare it. Quite sure you will find it will be the same.
I wanted to use the shortened pitman arm but unfortunately they are only made for the left hand drive steering. The right hand side has the twist in the opposite direction. That is the reason why they can't be used on the right hand drive.

[SteveB31]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

They have to have that twist. The steering arm is out near the wheel. The pitman arm is right next to the frame.

[Fullraceflathead]

Originally Posted by RUNNERBUN

They definitely have a twist from new. That doesn't look damaged to me. Just wait till you get the shortened arm and compare it. Quite sure you will find it will be the same.
I wanted to use the shortened pitman arm but unfortunately they are only made for the left hand drive steering. The right hand side has the twist in the opposite direction. That is the reason why they can't be used on the right hand drive.

Since you have a Right Hand Drive Car. I was thinking, if you bought the Shortened Pitman Arm (Left Hand Drive) and removed the Ball. Then drill a hole on center thru the Arm. Couldn't you then press a replacement Ball on it from the opposite side and have it TIG welded like many do to repair worn out Balls??? The Arm would be flipped on the Steering box but I think the curve might be like what you need. Kind of like a "Mirror Image" of my Left Hand Drive Pitman Arm.
Not trying to give you a Headache, just a thought that popped in my Head.

[pooch]

Originally Posted by Fullraceflathead

Since you have a Right Hand Drive Car. I was thinking, if you bought the Shortened Pitman Arm (Left Hand Drive) and removed the Ball. Then drill a hole on center thru the Arm. Couldn't you then press a replacement Ball on it from the opposite side and have it TIG welded like many do to repair worn out Balls??? The Arm would be flipped on the Steering box but I think the curve might be like what you need. Kind of like a "Mirror Image" of my Left Hand Drive Pitman Arm.
Not trying to give you a Headache, just a thought that popped in my Head.

Nope, the twist is exactly opposite re RHD and LHD.

Reverse your LHD pitman arm on steering box square and it will still face the same way , in your case out to the left .

[pooch]

You will find the twist of the pitman ball points to the steering arm knuckle.

[Fullraceflathead]

Glad I didn't Bet the Farm on it being bent from an accident!
Thanks Guys!

[SAJ]

I took a LHD shortened arm from Snyders and wrapped the ball in rags with water flowing on them. I heated the middle dull red and reversed the twist. Then cooled it slowly with a feathery flame over about 20 minutes. I used tempilsticks to get it below about 400 deg C from memory and then buried it all in lime to cool off, except the ball. I did look up the steel properties first and saw it was an air-hardening grade from Snyders description.
I would be interested to hear of the validity of what I did from any metallurgists if they care to comment
SAJ in NZ

D

[RUNNERBUN]

Originally Posted by SAJ

I took a LHD shortened arm from Snyders and wrapped the ball in rags with water flowing on them. I heated the middle dull red and reversed the twist. Then cooled it slowly with a feathery flame over about 20 minutes. I used tempilsticks to get it below about 400 deg C from memory and then buried it all in lime to cool off, except the ball. I did look up the steel properties first and saw it was an air-hardening grade from Snyders description.
I would be interested to hear of the validity of what I did from any metallurgists if they care to comment
SAJ in NZ

D

Did very similar to you, Heated and then twist slowly in the opposite direction. Not sure what the legality is. Pitman arm now has approx. 40000 km on it.

[pooch]

I have done things in my younger , no money, naive years, I am not proud of now .

But now I try to be careful of anything steering .

Most else in a car, you have a backup , but not steering.

Faulty steering killed Ayrton Senna.