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Old 05-04-2019, 08:13 AM   #1
Smooth_One
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Default How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?

Just wondering All of you out there that have installed the shortened Pitman arm how much of a difference it makes and how do you like it versus stock?
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Old 05-04-2019, 08:23 AM   #2
Jeff P. / MN
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Default Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?

I installed a new one from Snyder’s on my ‘30 Tudor. Steering is much easier. This is the second one I have done. I always use a new one, never a welded one.
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Old 05-04-2019, 08:25 AM   #3
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Default Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?

I have a shortened pitman arm on my 30 Tudor that I use for touring. In over 16 K miles, I would not change back to original. I have 19 inch wheels and tires.


It steers easier and I would recommend it for those who have the original steering box.


The steering box must be in good condition as well as the other steering components.


DO NOT use a shortened pitman arm with the F100 conversion. It makes the steering too slow and imprecise.


My opinion,


Chris W.
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Old 05-04-2019, 09:34 AM   #4
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Default Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?

It's like power steering by comparison. However it does put just a little more slop into my sloppy steering and increases the radius of a turn but I recommend them. gary.
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Old 05-04-2019, 09:48 AM   #5
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Default Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?

I like it, I think you will too.
They are not expensive so throw one on, quick and easy.
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Old 05-04-2019, 09:49 AM   #6
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Default Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?

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I installed a new one from Bratton's, steering is easier, I like it.
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Old 05-04-2019, 10:09 AM   #7
daveymc29
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Default Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?

I have a new one, not welded and it works fine with my rebuilt F100 box. Much better than the 7 tooth I had rebuilt. It still turns lock to lock, so I don't seem to suffer the longer turning radius others speak of. I takes more turns to get there but if moving at all it isd a one finger pull on the steering wheel. Made my own box so I cost just about 200 bucks. I used a 56 Ford pickup unit.
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Old 05-04-2019, 10:16 AM   #8
Bob Bidonde
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Default Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?

I liked it so much in my 190A that I bought one for my 45B also.
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Old 05-04-2019, 10:57 AM   #9
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Default Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?

I put a new one about 5+ years ago and it made a difference with no complaints.
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Old 05-04-2019, 11:06 AM   #10
Purdy Swoft
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Default Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?

I use the shortened pitman arms from Wiley Higgins in Cumming Georgia . I am well pleased and use the shortened pitman arm on most of my model A's . When moving , they steer about as easily as power steering .
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Old 05-04-2019, 11:06 AM   #11
Jim Brierley
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Default Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?

I made one back in 1960 for my widebed, bought one for my tudor with the F-100 box a few years ago and have a AA arm on my speedster. I'm happy with all of them. A shortened arm is even more important if the car has been lowered as everything lines up better.
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Old 05-04-2019, 11:19 AM   #12
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Default Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?

Everyone is saying they make the steering easier but is there not a downside?

At 45 to 55mph would you notice the loss in steering precision?
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Old 05-04-2019, 11:43 AM   #13
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Default Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?

Quote:
Originally Posted by daveymc29 View Post
I have a new one, not welded and it works fine with my rebuilt F100 box. Much better than the 7 tooth I had rebuilt. It still turns lock to lock, so I don't seem to suffer the longer turning radius others speak of.
I have a stock 2 tooth steering box in my '30 Town Sedan and my steering still goes lock to lock also. I don't seem to suffer the longer turning radius others speak of either??
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Old 05-04-2019, 11:50 AM   #14
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Default Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?

What is the length between the centers on the shortened Pitman Arm's?

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Old 05-04-2019, 11:52 AM   #15
Clem Clement
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Default Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?

I bought one of Rainmaker Ron's shortened Pitman arms many years ago. Love it.
Miss Ron!
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Old 05-04-2019, 12:09 PM   #16
Purdy Swoft
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Default Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?

Quote:
Originally Posted by M2M View Post
Everyone is saying they make the steering easier but is there not a downside?

At 45 to 55mph would you notice the loss in steering precision?
NO , steering radius won't be felt at road speed . Steering radius can only be noticed at maximum left or right turns .
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Old 05-04-2019, 02:14 PM   #17
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Default Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff P. / MN View Post
I installed a new one from Snyder’s on my ‘30 Tudor. Steering is much easier. This is the second one I have done. I always use a new one, never a welded one.
I just got one from Bert’s and at some spots it’s twice the thickness of the original one. I have not installed it yet.
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Old 05-04-2019, 02:15 PM   #18
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Default Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?

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Originally Posted by burner31 View Post
I like it, I think you will too.
They are not expensive so throw one on, quick and easy.
I did just pick one up from Bert’s but have not put it on the car yet.
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Old 05-04-2019, 02:16 PM   #19
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Default Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?

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Originally Posted by M2M View Post
Everyone is saying they make the steering easier but is there not a downside?

At 45 to 55mph would you notice the loss in steering precision?
Great question.
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Old 05-04-2019, 02:55 PM   #20
Purdy Swoft
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Default Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?

It has been said that a shortened pitman arm will increase the turning circle . In other words the car would require a larger area to turn around in a circle . This hasn't been a problem for us . Some have had more problems with the 28-29 models . The problem in sush cases has been that the shortened pitman arm couldn't pull the spindle back quite far enough to reach its stop . This in turn increases the turning circle .
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