Pitman arm for 1946 Mercury

[Lee-46 Mercury]

Hi, I need help to get on the road. My pitman arm 21A3590B has a lot of play in it, does anyone have a new one or know where i can get a new one. I've seen some used ones for sale on ebay, but I, as you, would prefer a new one..any suggestions? Can they be rebuilt or substituted to use in my stock 46 Mercury?

Thanks for all the help, found a NOS arm and look forward to it arriving. As some say, the problem might be deeper than just the arm

[Automotive Stud]

Not sure how there could be play in that arm unless something is damaged. There is a NOS one on ebay for $70+shipping right now.

[69a]

Can you give more information. The Pitman arm itself should not wear. Unless it has not been tightened at either end. In which case the spline or knuckle fitting are probably damaged as well

[Lee-46 Mercury]

Thanks for the input, it is possible there is more damage than the arm itself. I'm starting with the pitman arm to see if that fixes it, if not I'll pull the box. I can visually see a lot of play between the arm and the box.

[Lee-46 Mercury]

Originally Posted by Automotive Stud

Not sure how there could be play in that arm unless something is damaged. There is a NOS one on ebay for $70+shipping right now.

Thanks, I've gotten a few private replies, I'll check out the ebay one. A few days ago i checked and only saw used.

[69a]

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That connection is a tapered spline. You should tightened it ASAP. Drop it down and give it a visual inspection. Make sure you connect it in the same orientation, have the wheels straight ahead and the steering wheel centered. If it has had movement for a while I would guess both surfaces will have wear. Tighten it now and then try to tighten it again after some use. If there is no movement, it won't get any worse

[coolcoupe]

Make sure you have the proper cone washer (lack of proper name) or it won't tighten properly. Someone put a flat washer on mine when I bought 47 car and just wouldn't tighten that's how I found out.

[Lee-46 Mercury]

Wow, where did you find the cone washer? Mine also has a flat washer and there was a lot of play between the arm and the spline from the box. Someone did offer a NOS arm and it should arrive soon, I ask them about the washer. This is a great help. I like your Canadian coupe, I should post a picture of mine at some point in the future.

[Lee-46 Mercury]

Thanks for the advice, I'll check it out once the new arm arrives.

[alchemy]

I’ve taken dozens of old Ford steering boxes from 32 to 52 apart and never seen a cone shaped washer on the sector. Just the pitman arm, then a large lock washer (make sure it fits over the splines if any stick through the pitman), then the nut. Sometimes the nut uses a cotter pin instead.

I too think the OP just needs to crank the big nut down more. If it’s been loose long enough to mess up the splines in the pitman, the splines on the sector are probably screwed too.

[cas3]

Totally agree. Never seen a cone washer, or a worn pitman arm for that matter. In the
beginning of this thread I thought the OP must have wrong terminology, and really means the drag link, not pitman arm. Any photos ?

[Lee-46 Mercury]

Hard to photo the play between the sector and pitman arm, but I did measure the ID of the lock washer and it is .9 of an inch, and won't fit over the spline on the sector...might be to small to snug up the pitman arm...if so, new washer and problem might be solved.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Lee-46 Mercury

Hard to photo the play between the sector and pitman arm, but I did measure the ID of the lock washer and it is .9 of an inch, and won't fit over the spline on the sector...might be to small to snug up the pitman arm...if so, new washer and problem might be solved.

[Lee-46 Mercury]

I installed the new pitman arm and that solved the shimmy. I took the advice on the lock washer and got a one inch that would allow it to go over the spline if needed. The arm went in easily and my steering is tight. Thanks to all that offered suggestions or parts.

[coolcoupe]

thanks for the remark on my coupe,also post pics of yours