The Ford Barn

dmaxweb · 10-16-2010, 06:58 AM

It seems to me that switching to a shortened Pitman Arm would necessitate changing the length of the drag link to keep the front wheels tracking straight relative to the exact center of the steering wheel position. Am I thinking about this correctly?

Mac's sells an adjutable length drag link. I've not been pleased with some of the parts (imported?) that Mac's sells but this one is described as made in USA. On the other hand it's $100 that I don't want to spend if not necessary.

Thoughts?

Dick Deegan · 10-16-2010, 07:58 AM

I use a short Pitman arm on my 30 Coupe - see above post on Pitman Arm. I don't worry about the exact location of the spokes in the steering wheel relative to going straight ahead so I just have the stock drag link. There are two keyways in my steering wheel that are offset to each other so I could move the wheel if I want, but it would still out relative to straight ahead.

BTW, I feel the same as you about Mac's. I have had very dissapointing experiences with Mac's parts. Matter of fact I haven't been pleased with very many of the parts from Mac's and I purchased a lot from them in the beginning. I much prefer Bratton's or Snyder's.

Dick

dmaxweb · 10-16-2010, 08:27 AM

Rather than the orientation of the steering wheel spokes, I was thinking about the fact that the steering box adjustments are done when the worm is at dead center of left to right turning. I assume this should match the exact point when the wheels point straight ahead.
Maybe I'm thinking about this wrong.

Peter J · 10-16-2010, 09:11 AM

Probably the radius difference of 2.5" is so small you would not be able to adjust the box that closely. I put the shortened arm in and it seems great. I didn't even notice the steering wheel location difference. I'm however having issues with it tightening up completely on the new shaft though.

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 10-16-2010, 09:32 AM

If the orientation of the steering wheel bothers you, broach (or hand file) a new keyway where it matches what you are after. FYI, the steering adjument does not factor in on this.

BTW, another way is to take two drag links and section them and reweld the two of them into one.

.

Tom Wesenberg · 10-16-2010, 11:08 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by dmaxweb

Rather than the orientation of the steering wheel spokes, I was thinking about the fact that the steering box adjustments are done when the worm is at dead center of left to right turning. I assume this should match the exact point when the wheels point straight ahead.
Maybe I'm thinking about this wrong.

Yes, you are correct in your thinking. Since the steering worm is designed with the tightest clearance dead center any movment away from this increases the clearance. And, since the angle between the drag link and pitman arm is slighly less than 90* in the straight ahead position, shortening the arm will make the worm have to turn some to maintain the straight ahead position.

Too bad the mounting square wasn't turned just a hair on the new shortened arm to compensate for this.

10-16-2010, 06:58 AM	#1
dmaxweb Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 510	Length of Drag Link It seems to me that switching to a shortened Pitman Arm would necessitate changing the length of the drag link to keep the front wheels tracking straight relative to the exact center of the steering wheel position. Am I thinking about this correctly? Mac's sells an adjutable length drag link. I've not been pleased with some of the parts (imported?) that Mac's sells but this one is described as made in USA. On the other hand it's $100 that I don't want to spend if not necessary. Thoughts?

10-16-2010, 07:58 AM	#2
Dick Deegan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 527	Re: Length of Drag Link I use a short Pitman arm on my 30 Coupe - see above post on Pitman Arm. I don't worry about the exact location of the spokes in the steering wheel relative to going straight ahead so I just have the stock drag link. There are two keyways in my steering wheel that are offset to each other so I could move the wheel if I want, but it would still out relative to straight ahead. BTW, I feel the same as you about Mac's. I have had very dissapointing experiences with Mac's parts. Matter of fact I haven't been pleased with very many of the parts from Mac's and I purchased a lot from them in the beginning. I much prefer Bratton's or Snyder's. Dick

10-16-2010, 08:27 AM	#3
dmaxweb Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 510	Re: Length of Drag Link Rather than the orientation of the steering wheel spokes, I was thinking about the fact that the steering box adjustments are done when the worm is at dead center of left to right turning. I assume this should match the exact point when the wheels point straight ahead. Maybe I'm thinking about this wrong.

10-16-2010, 09:11 AM	#4
Peter J Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Olympia, WA Posts: 691	Re: Length of Drag Link Probably the radius difference of 2.5" is so small you would not be able to adjust the box that closely. I put the shortened arm in and it seems great. I didn't even notice the steering wheel location difference. I'm however having issues with it tightening up completely on the new shaft though.

10-16-2010, 09:32 AM	#5
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,508	Re: Length of Drag Link If the orientation of the steering wheel bothers you, broach (or hand file) a new keyway where it matches what you are after. FYI, the steering adjument does not factor in on this. BTW, another way is to take two drag links and section them and reweld the two of them into one. . __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .