How’s your Shortened pitman arm working?

[Smooth_One]

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?

[Jeff P. / MN]

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.

[CWPASADENA]

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.

[woofa.express]

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.

[burner31]

I like it, I think you will too.
They are not expensive so throw one on, quick and easy.

[katy]

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I installed a new one from Bratton's, steering is easier, I like it.

[daveymc29]

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.

[Bob Bidonde]

I liked it so much in my 190A that I bought one for my 45B also.

[JtownJoe]

I put a new one about 5+ years ago and it made a difference with no complaints.

[Purdy Swoft]

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 .

[Jim Brierley]

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.

[M2M]

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?

[Ruth]

Originally Posted by daveymc29

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??

[BillCNC]

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

Regards
Bill

[Clem Clement]

I bought one of Rainmaker Ron's shortened Pitman arms many years ago. Love it.
Miss Ron!

[Purdy Swoft]

Originally Posted by M2M

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 .

[Smooth_One]

Originally Posted by Jeff P. / MN

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.

[Smooth_One]

Originally Posted by burner31

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.

[Smooth_One]

Originally Posted by M2M

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.

[Purdy Swoft]

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 .

[quickchange]

We have had made the RIGHT HAND DRIVE version made by the same folk who produce the LHD one , So if you need a RHD one we can supply , [email protected] also available from Arizona Model A, I smell salt ?

[Sideline]

I’m using one with my newly rebuilt 2 tooth box and I wouldn’t go back.
Three turns from center to lock either way and I can steer with one hand now. I haven’t noticed any difference in turning radius.


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[CarlG]

I have the short pitman arm, am using it with an F100 steering box. No difference in the turning radius, much easier steering while under way.

[31a]

Installed one on my 29 station wagon it makes a difference have 5 other A's will upgrade those eventually

[updraught]

Mac's says:

Steering Gear Ratio 1928-29, 11-1/4:1
Steering Wheel Diameter 1928-29, 17-1/2"
Pitman Arm Length 6-7/8" hole center to ball center

Steering Gear Ratio 1930-31, 13:1
Steering Wheel Diameter 1930-31, 17"

I gather 1932 is 13:1 and 33/34 is 15:1 .

"Factory production Ford F-100 pickups were equipped with “Armstrong” power steering in the form of a 17.5-inch steering wheel and 16 to 1 steering gear ratio."
http://www.classicperform.com/tech_a...r-Steering.htm

So if you add a shortened pitman arm it must be about 17:1

[katy]

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Originally Posted by BillCNC

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

Regards
Bill

Bratton's listing says that it is 1.5" shorter than stock.

https://www.brattons.com/new-one-pie...ed-pitman.html

[whirnot]

I put one on my 29 roadster, and it definitely steers easier. There is a wider turning radius with the seven tooth box, but it's worth it. Between that and the Mitchell transmission, now my wife can drive it.

[duke36]

The shortened arm depending on length pulls the drag link up and can allow more clearance to the tie rod depending on front spring condition and travel.

[wensum]

Clearly your roads must be a lot straighter than ours, with lots of tight bends, sometimes consecutive, the effective lower ratio caused by the shortened arm results in one having to turn the steering wheel more than originally to go around a corner.
The steering may be lighter but the extra twirling of the wheel can be wearying?
Also, I found that one needed to fit an adjustable drag link to get full lock on both sides.
Fitting the 5.00 radial tyres has made the steering on our car beautifully light with the original length pitman arm.

[Sideline]

Originally Posted by wensum

I found that one needed to fit an adjustable drag link to get full lock on both sides.

Not on mine.


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[M2M]

Originally Posted by wensum

Clearly your roads must be a lot straighter than ours, with lots of tight bends, sometimes consecutive, the effective lower ratio caused by the shortened arm results in one having to turn the steering wheel more than originally to go around a corner.
The steering may be lighter but the extra twirling of the wheel can be wearying?
Also, I found that one needed to fit an adjustable drag link to get full lock on both sides.
Fitting the 5.00 radial tyres has made the steering on our car beautifully light with the original length pitman arm.

Uh-huh, I knew there must be a down side.

[SAJ]

I get full lock on both sides on my 1930 RHD Roadster. This is both with the original 7 tooth box and the 2 tooth I fitted to replace it. I have 550 X 19 Excelsior Stahl radials. Full lock means contact with the steering stops both ways. This depends on how long the stops are and whether a spring washer is fitted to them. I have read that the 550 radials can contact a brake rod one one side or the or the other too,limiting the lock. This does not happen on my Roadster.
I like the lighter steering and do not particularly notice more wheel turning in bends.
I also have a 1931Tudor with standard Pitman arm to compare it with. I may try a shortened arm on that too, because 2500 miles on a rally last week was quite an arm work-out with the higher ratio steering.
Wensum has a speedster which must be lighter and need less turning effort I think. We both travel the same roads here in NZ and he has Stahl radials too, though he says 500 X 19.
I did not have to fit an adjustable drag link and my wheel is centralised.
SAJ in NZ

[quickchange]

I run one on my delivery LHD & liked it so much decided to have new RHD ones made , I also love my LHD F100 box , Mitchell gear splitter, & the wife ,

[M2M]

Are there different length shortened new pitman arms sold by the suppliers?


I plan to fit bias ply 5.50x19 tyres to the front; sounds like I may have contact problems.