The Ford Barn

Houdini · 01-04-2017, 08:49 PM

Thanks for all the replies. The answers to some are yes, I checked tire pressure, with new tires too, and yes the bearings and the king pins, and bushing are new and inline reamed etc. And when I say steering is hard, like some said, its probably normal since we're all use to power steering and I have forgotten what manaul steering is like all these years. The steering isn't hard at all when moving down the highway, just when turning and going slow in the drive way. toe in is correct too. The steering box is old, I think original and don't know if it ever was rebuilt, but I doubt it. I haven't over-trightened the box. My main question was if handling might be better with a shortened pitman arm considering the play is in the box and down down stream. I realize the movement or slack in the wheel will stay the same, but I suspect even though the same steering wheel movement will make smaller corrections it may not really improve the feel of control on the road.

I've also thought about getting an F100 box from Randy Gross, but thought maybe the shorter arm might be somewhat of an improvement for the short term. As was mentioned, its not an expensive option to at least try.

01-04-2017, 08:49 PM	#12
Houdini Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Central Texas Posts: 113	Re: Re-thinking shortened pitman arm Thanks for all the replies. The answers to some are yes, I checked tire pressure, with new tires too, and yes the bearings and the king pins, and bushing are new and inline reamed etc. And when I say steering is hard, like some said, its probably normal since we're all use to power steering and I have forgotten what manaul steering is like all these years. The steering isn't hard at all when moving down the highway, just when turning and going slow in the drive way. toe in is correct too. The steering box is old, I think original and don't know if it ever was rebuilt, but I doubt it. I haven't over-trightened the box. My main question was if handling might be better with a shortened pitman arm considering the play is in the box and down down stream. I realize the movement or slack in the wheel will stay the same, but I suspect even though the same steering wheel movement will make smaller corrections it may not really improve the feel of control on the road. I've also thought about getting an F100 box from Randy Gross, but thought maybe the shorter arm might be somewhat of an improvement for the short term. As was mentioned, its not an expensive option to at least try.