The Ford Barn

toms32 · 08-25-2010, 06:50 AM

Model A Pitman Arm - I came accross an article about shortening a model A pitman arm to ease driving. I have an problem about welding critical steering components however that said has someone else done this or is there a place I can purchase this modified part. This in my opinion would have to be done by a certified welder and that I am not. Thanks Tom

Keith True · 08-25-2010, 07:18 AM

They are available new now from the big vendors.I have always welded my own,but for customers I buy them.For the time I put into them I can buy two of the new ones.The idea of welded steering parts scares some people,but it has been in use for years.Trucks with hydraulic steering have the piston eyes welded onto both ends,some with an idler arm/equalizer have a two hole plate welded onto the forged arm,there was a weld-on kit for old VW's that replaced the end on the two hole pitman arm when the holes got wallowed out.If you ever drove route 101 through N.H.in the 60's and early 70's you met dozens of B model Macks with shortened pitman arms.Zapora hauled oil and gas around the clock and the mechanics shortened the arms on most of those trucks.I have bought the new arms from either Brattons,Snyders,or Mikes.I think they were only around 30 bucks,and I spend two hours cutting,fitting,welding,and grinding to do one.I do tend to get a little fussy when doing one.Somebody posted a picture of a homemade broken one,it looks as if it was done by a monkey with a harbor freight welder.It was a good example of stupidity,not of a good welder.He had bought the car like that.

Ron/IA · 08-25-2010, 07:56 AM

Toms32 - Keith is right on the money. Before today's vendors made available a completely made non-welded shortened pitman arm, it just isn't worth the effort doing it yourself.

A few years ago before availability, I cut and welded one using the Z-design. As Keith stated; time consuming. It is very strong and I have complete faith in it, but I won't do it anymore.

I recommend buying one from the vendors.

V4F · 08-25-2010, 09:08 AM

yes just buy one . safer ................. steve

Wick · 08-25-2010, 09:49 AM

Had to use one on my Speedster aftering lowering the frontend.

Glenn C. · 08-25-2010, 10:01 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Shortened pitman arm also helps to keep the drag link away from the tie-rod. Buy a new one. Play it safe.

Dick Deegan · 08-25-2010, 11:45 AM

I bought mine from Snyder's at a ver yreasonable price.

Purdy Swoft · 08-25-2010, 12:17 PM

I get mine from Wiley Higgins in Cummin Georgia. They really help and Wiley does a wonderful job.

2manycars · 08-25-2010, 01:44 PM

I shortened a few for my cars several years ago. I made the cut in a Z, chamfered it to a V on all edges to be welded, and welded both sides with multiple passes, finishing with an annealing bead in the center. That is how I was taught at Electric Boat Shipyard welding school many years ago when I welded on nuclear submarines. It is time consuming, and I would not do one for a customer, because if the car was in a crash for any reason at all, and it was mentioned I had welded the arm, the ambulance chasing lawyers would have me in a corner. It is great they are now being made, and I understand they are forgings, like original. I have not seen one, but have heard good reports.

toms32 · 09-11-2010, 06:56 PM

Many thanks to all who responded on this tech issue. Tom

b ramsey · 09-11-2010, 07:10 PM

i just did mine today, cut the extra tapered hole off my passenger side spindle ('40) and used it on the pitman arm so i can make a new drag link using modern rod ends. welding these is cake.

BCCHOPIT · 09-11-2010, 08:01 PM

Are the new ones a cast part? Any one have a link
thanks Bill

BCCHOPIT · 09-11-2010, 08:12 PM

found it....
All new forged one-piece pitman arm. This arm is 1.5" shorter for easier steering. Made from SAE 4130 chrome moly steel.
$35.50 that is a great price must be made in china
I think I will still weld my own I trust welded old ford forged steel more the some new china crap
just my 2 cents
later Bill

Pa Joe · 09-12-2010, 10:43 AM

I called three vendors for one, everyone was out of them . I'm on a waiting list at Snyders. JK

Peter J · 09-12-2010, 10:53 AM

Me too with Snyder's. I hear that it widens the turning circle somewhat but sounds like a good trade off.

Keith True · 09-12-2010, 12:23 PM

In theory it may open up the turning radius some,or maybe with a 7 tooth steering box,but I can't speak for that as I never tried one.I can tell you that with a 2 tooth box the spindle arms hit the stops with both the long and short arms.Zero radius change on every one I have done.

snookcapt · 09-15-2010, 12:24 PM

Mike's has new ones, the only way.

Kirby1374 · 09-15-2010, 01:57 PM

so a shortened arm makes it easier to steer at low speeds (parking etc.) but what about out on the highway? does it change the feel? like wandering etc.?

fiftyv8 · 01-30-2016, 07:24 PM

Was there ever an answer to the last post on here?
Especially since so many of us run O/D's these days and better brakes...

fiftyv8 · 01-30-2016, 07:30 PM

I note the Snyder's advert say LHD only!!!
What would be required to use this on a RHD vehicle.
Wouldn't they be the same???

Model A Shortened Pitman Arm

One and one-half inches shorter than the stock pitman arm, which makes for easier steering. Made of SAE4130 chrome moly steel. Left hand drive only.

08-25-2010, 06:50 AM	#1
toms32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,210	Modification Model A pitman Arm Model A Pitman Arm - I came accross an article about shortening a model A pitman arm to ease driving. I have an problem about welding critical steering components however that said has someone else done this or is there a place I can purchase this modified part. This in my opinion would have to be done by a certified welder and that I am not. Thanks Tom

08-25-2010, 07:18 AM	#2
Keith True Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Epping N.H. Posts: 2,985	Re: Modification Model A pitman Arm They are available new now from the big vendors.I have always welded my own,but for customers I buy them.For the time I put into them I can buy two of the new ones.The idea of welded steering parts scares some people,but it has been in use for years.Trucks with hydraulic steering have the piston eyes welded onto both ends,some with an idler arm/equalizer have a two hole plate welded onto the forged arm,there was a weld-on kit for old VW's that replaced the end on the two hole pitman arm when the holes got wallowed out.If you ever drove route 101 through N.H.in the 60's and early 70's you met dozens of B model Macks with shortened pitman arms.Zapora hauled oil and gas around the clock and the mechanics shortened the arms on most of those trucks.I have bought the new arms from either Brattons,Snyders,or Mikes.I think they were only around 30 bucks,and I spend two hours cutting,fitting,welding,and grinding to do one.I do tend to get a little fussy when doing one.Somebody posted a picture of a homemade broken one,it looks as if it was done by a monkey with a harbor freight welder.It was a good example of stupidity,not of a good welder.He had bought the car like that.

08-25-2010, 07:56 AM	#3
Ron/IA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Amana IA Posts: 527	Re: Modification Model A pitman Arm Toms32 - Keith is right on the money. Before today's vendors made available a completely made non-welded shortened pitman arm, it just isn't worth the effort doing it yourself. A few years ago before availability, I cut and welded one using the Z-design. As Keith stated; time consuming. It is very strong and I have complete faith in it, but I won't do it anymore. I recommend buying one from the vendors. __________________ Ron/IA 1929 Fordor Steelback Hawk A Model A Ford Club http://hawkamodelaclub.org/ Last edited by Ron/IA; 08-25-2010 at 09:52 AM.

08-25-2010, 09:08 AM	#4
V4F Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: ca. Posts: 2,522	Re: Modification Model A pitman Arm yes just buy one . safer ................. steve __________________ V4f

08-25-2010, 09:49 AM	#5
Wick Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gwynn's Island Va Posts: 1,386	Re: Modification Model A pitman Arm Had to use one on my Speedster aftering lowering the frontend.

08-25-2010, 10:01 AM	#6
Glenn C. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Didsbury Alberta Posts: 838	Re: Modification Model A pitman Arm Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Shortened pitman arm also helps to keep the drag link away from the tie-rod. Buy a new one. Play it safe.

08-25-2010, 11:45 AM	#7
Dick Deegan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 527	Re: Modification Model A pitman Arm I bought mine from Snyder's at a ver yreasonable price.

08-25-2010, 12:17 PM	#8
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Modification Model A pitman Arm I get mine from Wiley Higgins in Cummin Georgia. They really help and Wiley does a wonderful job.

08-25-2010, 01:44 PM	#9
2manycars Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern CT Posts: 2,732	Re: Modification Model A pitman Arm I shortened a few for my cars several years ago. I made the cut in a Z, chamfered it to a V on all edges to be welded, and welded both sides with multiple passes, finishing with an annealing bead in the center. That is how I was taught at Electric Boat Shipyard welding school many years ago when I welded on nuclear submarines. It is time consuming, and I would not do one for a customer, because if the car was in a crash for any reason at all, and it was mentioned I had welded the arm, the ambulance chasing lawyers would have me in a corner. It is great they are now being made, and I understand they are forgings, like original. I have not seen one, but have heard good reports.

09-11-2010, 06:56 PM	#10
toms32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,210	Re: Modification Model A pitman Arm Many thanks to all who responded on this tech issue. Tom

09-11-2010, 07:10 PM	#11
b ramsey Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: ramona, ca. Posts: 58	Re: Modification Model A pitman Arm i just did mine today, cut the extra tapered hole off my passenger side spindle ('40) and used it on the pitman arm so i can make a new drag link using modern rod ends. welding these is cake.

09-11-2010, 08:01 PM	#12
BCCHOPIT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Torrington, CT Posts: 609	Re: Modification Model A pitman Arm Are the new ones a cast part? Any one have a link thanks Bill

09-11-2010, 08:12 PM	#13
BCCHOPIT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Torrington, CT Posts: 609	Re: Modification Model A pitman Arm found it.... All new forged one-piece pitman arm. This arm is 1.5" shorter for easier steering. Made from SAE 4130 chrome moly steel. $35.50 that is a great price must be made in china I think I will still weld my own I trust welded old ford forged steel more the some new china crap just my 2 cents later Bill

09-12-2010, 10:43 AM	#14
Pa Joe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pittsburgh Pa Posts: 188	Re: Modification Model A pitman Arm I called three vendors for one, everyone was out of them . I'm on a waiting list at Snyders. JK

09-12-2010, 10:53 AM	#15
Peter J Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Olympia, WA Posts: 691	Re: Modification Model A pitman Arm Me too with Snyder's. I hear that it widens the turning circle somewhat but sounds like a good trade off.

09-12-2010, 12:23 PM	#16
Keith True Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Epping N.H. Posts: 2,985	Re: Modification Model A pitman Arm In theory it may open up the turning radius some,or maybe with a 7 tooth steering box,but I can't speak for that as I never tried one.I can tell you that with a 2 tooth box the spindle arms hit the stops with both the long and short arms.Zero radius change on every one I have done.

09-15-2010, 12:24 PM	#17
snookcapt Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 4	Re: Modification Model A pitman Arm Mike's has new ones, the only way.

09-15-2010, 01:57 PM	#18
Kirby1374 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coquille, Or Posts: 280	Re: Modification Model A pitman Arm so a shortened arm makes it easier to steer at low speeds (parking etc.) but what about out on the highway? does it change the feel? like wandering etc.?

01-30-2016, 07:24 PM	#19
fiftyv8 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 141	Re: Modification Model A pitman Arm Was there ever an answer to the last post on here? Especially since so many of us run O/D's these days and better brakes... Last edited by fiftyv8; 02-02-2016 at 07:33 AM.

01-30-2016, 07:30 PM	#20
fiftyv8 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 141	Re: Modification Model A pitman Arm I note the Snyder's advert say LHD only!!! What would be required to use this on a RHD vehicle. Wouldn't they be the same??? Model A Shortened Pitman Arm One and one-half inches shorter than the stock pitman arm, which makes for easier steering. Made of SAE4130 chrome moly steel. Left hand drive only.