Steering arm bent?

[dmengel]

I purchased a rebuilt steering arm (with a new round ball welded on) few years ago and installed. It looks like it may be bent given that the end of the drag link now rubs underneath the brake shaft above it. Am I thinking correctly? What might I do to fix this?

[Oldtmtech]

I don’t know alot about stock model A’s because I’m building a speedster from parts but I think you just need to turn the pitman arm around , the ball should face outward
Todd

[Oldtmtech]

I do see what you are talking about on the front of the drag link,am not familiar with the mechanical brakes but do see your spring shackel is bottomed out

[Oldtmtech]

Spring shackle should be at a 45 degree angle and that would raise your frame and brake rods for proper clearance
Todd

[Conaway2]

Check to be sure the drag link is fully seated on the ball of the rebuilt steering arm.

[old ugly]

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if it was rebuilt maybe the ball is installed too high. just a thought.

if you determine that it is bent, bend it back down. it is cast steel not cast iron and it should bend. i would do it cold.

[MAG]

Loosen the large nut near the spindle and let the steering arm move down. Tighten the nut. Steering arm could be bent up.
The Pitman (steering) arm is oriented properly.
It appears that the bushings in the spring shackle are worn causing the spring to appear sagging.

[hudson32700]

The Pitman arm in your picture is in the correct position as shown in the drawing.

[Bill G]

Originally Posted by MAG

Loosen the large nut near the spindle and let the steering arm move down. Tighten the nut. Steering arm could be bent up.
The Pitman (steering) arm is oriented properly.
It appears that the bushings in the spring shackle are worn causing the spring to appear sagging.

I agree with loosening the big nut on the front. Mine had some room to move it and I think you will be able to rotate it some, then tighten it back up. Once you get it tight, remember the cotter pin. It looks to be missing in the photo.

[larrys40]

I think your front spring is worn and sagging cause the drag link to touch your tie rod . Make sure the flat of your spindle and mating flat of the steering arm are mated.

In a good spring you should be able to get a finger to or slightly less between the axle and spring eye .

Larry

[old ugly]

Originally Posted by larrys40

I think your front spring is worn and sagging cause the drag link to touch your tie rod . Make sure the flat of your spindle and mating flat of the steering arm are mated.

In a good spring you should be able to get a finger to or slightly less between the axle and spring eye .

Larry

i don't believe the spring shackle height affects the clearance of that drag link.

he may have a worn shackle bushing or pin but that won't change the clearance he needs.

[larrys40]

Originally Posted by old ugly

i don't believe the spring shackle height affects the clearance of that drag link.

he may have a worn shackle bushing or pin but that won't change the clearance he needs.

Respectfully, You are absolutely Incorrect. Please note I said “spring” which does include the shackles and associated wear. The height of the spring and the frame in relation to the pitman arm effects the distance of the gap in drag link to tie rod. As the frame and pitman arm are higher due to the spring the drag link clearance to tie rod is less. Many a tied rod and drag link have flats worn on them. Look at your own, I’ll bet it does as well from old wear or possibly current. That comes from a week spring and shackles.
I work on these every day. I would suggest you examine the issue on a model A and you will see. When the spring sags the frame and spring comes down and drag link comes down closer till it rubs on the tie rod. When you have a good spring it does not. Very common problem. Let’s not mislead folks please.

Larry Shepard

[larrys40]

Originally Posted by dmengel

I purchased a rebuilt steering arm (with a new round ball welded on) few years ago and installed. It looks like it may be bent given that the end of the drag link now rubs underneath the brake shaft above it. Am I thinking correctly? What might I do to fix this?

I might add that I can tell how far your end plugs are screwed in your current front steering ball ( if photo is current) are also worn. Also, the spring does appear sagged and at or very close to rubbing on the axle.
If you have good steering balls, springs and caps that are good your end plugs will be about flush with the end of the drag link and tie rod ends .

Larry

[Roger V]

Larry is absolutely correct. Have seen this condition on Model A's many times.

[old ugly]

ok
so to test this he could just put a jack under the frame and lift the car if the draglink
distance stays the same then the shackle is not the problem,
if the drag link drops lower giving him clearance then he needs to do the shackles and bushing.
simple test he can do first

larrys40 try it on your car too

[larrys40]

Dup by mistake ….

[larrys40]

Old ugly,
You are only Honed in on the shackles which are an element but I said “spring” .
The spring is sagging and probably worn. This is front end 101.

[old ugly]

yes
but,
an i did that test on mine,
the distance between the axle and the brake cross shaft does not change as the spring sags or the shackles wear. or the car settles
what if the car hits a bump or pothole, is the drag link supposed to hit the brake cross shaft?

i wouldn't have posted that if i hadn't tried it first

ps edit
i video'd it but i don't know how to up load it.

[old ugly]

ok here is a photo of mine
spring sag and worn shackle almost touching the axle. check the clearance of the drag link

[rotorwrench]

The angle of the drag link changes as the spring gets fatigued or compressed due to weight on the car. The front pitches up around the axis of the ball but it's not very much. The steering arm could have some bend or it's not well supported in the spindle bore it is bolted into. It may be a combination of things. The ball fix might be off too. The locating tab on the arm may also be worn or damaged.

A person needs to sort out that front spring before it gouges out the top of the axle. I've seen a lot of them with some pretty deep cupped out spots there due to the spring eye ridding on the top of the beam.