The Ford Barn

Model A Ron · 03-23-2021, 05:41 PM

Quick question.....if you have 2 inches of steering wheel play with a standard pitman arm will the short pitman are give you more or less play in the steering wheel? I would like to hear from people who installed the short pitman arm.

Thanks
Ron

CWPASADENA · 03-23-2021, 06:26 PM

The shorter the arm, the more "play" you will have at the steering wheel.

For a pitman arm half as long as the original, you will have twice the "play" at the steering wheel.

Chris W.

Model A Ron · 03-23-2021, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWPASADENA

The shorter the arm, the more "play" you will have at the steering wheel.

For a pitman arm half as long as the original, you will have twice the "play" at the steering wheel.

Chris W.

Thanks.....Do they make a longer Pitman Arm?

eagle · 03-23-2021, 06:56 PM

It depends on where the play is. Why not just fix the play?

Charlie Stephens · 03-23-2021, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Model A Ron

Thanks.....Do they make a longer Pitman Arm?

A longer pitman arm would make the steering harder, something you don't want.

Charlie Stephens

alexiskai · 03-23-2021, 07:11 PM

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Getting the axial clearance out of the steering means more than purely reducing the distance the wheel can travel. You could swap the steering wheel for one that was half the size, and that would reduce the play by 50% – but you wouldn't have actually done anything to improve the precision of the steering assembly. Similarly, altering the length of the pitman arm will affect the distance of travel at the steering wheel, but it won't actually make the car steer any better. The "play" is a measurement of the problem, not the problem itself.

Model A Ron · 03-23-2021, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eagle

It depends on where the play is. Why not just fix the play?

I had a lot of play when I started out. The draglink and tie rod inserts needed adjustment. After that I looked at the 7 tooth box and adjusted that all I could. When the cover was off I could see the bit of play that I have was between the worm and sector and this was showing up in the pitman arm. Everything after the pitman is very tight. I have about 2.5'' at the moment in the wheel but would like to take out as much as I can for now. Next winter I am planning on rebuilding the 7 toot of finding a 2 tooth if possible for my 29.

Ron

duke36 · 03-23-2021, 09:57 PM

with the shortened pitman arm, one needs the wheels straight ahead by finding or making an adjustable drag link to get the steering freeplay out and also helps set the toe in properly. the steering shaft key way needs to be up and centered lock to lock.

GRutter · 03-23-2021, 10:16 PM

If ALL of the play is in the steering box, then shortening the pitman arm will have no effect on the play. Regardless of the length of the pitman arm, it is stationary if you have no play in the rest of the steering components.

03-23-2021, 05:41 PM	#1
Model A Ron Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Troutman, NC Posts: 717	Short Pitman Arm Question Quick question.....if you have 2 inches of steering wheel play with a standard pitman arm will the short pitman are give you more or less play in the steering wheel? I would like to hear from people who installed the short pitman arm. Thanks Ron

03-23-2021, 06:26 PM	#2
CWPASADENA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PASADENA, CA Posts: 1,882	Re: Short Pitman Arm Question The shorter the arm, the more "play" you will have at the steering wheel. For a pitman arm half as long as the original, you will have twice the "play" at the steering wheel. Chris W.

03-23-2021, 06:56 PM	#4
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,025	Re: Short Pitman Arm Question It depends on where the play is. Why not just fix the play? __________________ "There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."

03-23-2021, 07:11 PM	#6
alexiskai Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Mebane NC Posts: 2,350	Re: Short Pitman Arm Question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Getting the axial clearance out of the steering means more than purely reducing the distance the wheel can travel. You could swap the steering wheel for one that was half the size, and that would reduce the play by 50% – but you wouldn't have actually done anything to improve the precision of the steering assembly. Similarly, altering the length of the pitman arm will affect the distance of travel at the steering wheel, but it won't actually make the car steer any better. The "play" is a measurement of the problem, not the problem itself.

03-23-2021, 09:57 PM	#8
duke36 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 1,414	Re: Short Pitman Arm Question with the shortened pitman arm, one needs the wheels straight ahead by finding or making an adjustable drag link to get the steering freeplay out and also helps set the toe in properly. the steering shaft key way needs to be up and centered lock to lock. Last edited by duke36; 03-23-2021 at 10:12 PM.

03-23-2021, 10:16 PM	#9
GRutter Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Mint Hill, North Carolina Posts: 386	Re: Short Pitman Arm Question If ALL of the play is in the steering box, then shortening the pitman arm will have no effect on the play. Regardless of the length of the pitman arm, it is stationary if you have no play in the rest of the steering components.