Modification Model A pitman Arm

[wensum]

It takes a little while to get used to the fact that you have to turn the steering wheel more to get the same result as the original steering.
Keith

[C26Pinelake]

to think you can weld as safe as a forged part is laughable. The world will certainly break before the gorged part will fail. Chinese crap lingo is outdated. It has been reported that Parts for Mercedes and BMW are currently being made in China. How can the backyard mechanic compare his engineering knowledge to that of some of the worlds best engineers! Time to admit that Chinese engineers have the necessary skills because many of them are educated in the United States and Canada and return home to China to put their skills into practice. Wayne

[Dave Slater]

Right Hand Drive pitman arms are different. The angle as you look down the arm is reversed. Nobody makes a RHD pitman arm. Take it to a good engineering company and get them to wield it.

[daveymc29]

Didn't change the roadkill all that much on my roadster. The turning radius is the same, just more turns on the wheel. I don;t feel it changed the following grooves in the road. It is very easy, much like power steering with any motion of the car. best thing I have done to reduce fatigue when driving the coast highway or anyplace with a lot of turns, like up Mt Diablo or Hamilton. Well worth $39.00. I wouldn't weld my own as I'm not that good with the welder, matter of fact gave it away, old Lincoln stick welder that could have handled the job, just not my cup of tea.

[pooch]

Correct on RHD.

The RHD and LHD pitman arms each point outwards to their corresponding steering arm.

Even if you turn one around, it still points the same outwards way. just the ball is on the other side.

I have turned a RHD pitman arm around andput the ball inside and been able to use a LHD drag link , when I did not have a spare RHD drag link .

[d.]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Snyder's makes and sells the new 1 piece forged pitman arm.
Don't take chances with home welding this vital part.
$39.95 is pretty cheap insurance.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by pooch

Correct on RHD.

The RHD and LHD pitman arms each point outwards to their corresponding steering arm.

Even if you turn one around, it still points the same outwards way. just the ball is on the other side.

I have turned a RHD pitman arm around andput the ball inside and been able to use a LHD drag link , when I did not have a spare RHD drag link .

When I've had to use a "Wrong" pitman arm I have heated it and twisted it so the ball faces the right way. That's staying with the standard length and is nothing to do with the topic of this thread - shortening them. I suppose I could do the same with one of those new short ones spoken of above.
RHD steering arms are not available either so we have to patch up originals by welding in replacement balls, which I have done but don't like or build up a worm one with weld, them shape it to 1" round.
There is a list as long as my arm of parts that are not made RHD.

[beechboy]

Try Gaslight Auto Parts out of Urbana Ohio 1.800.242.6491
Part #a-3590-s. Good people I deal with. About 15 miles from my home. Which is great

[Fred K-OR]

Originally Posted by fiftyv8

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...

I noticed it was easer to turn but it did not turn as short as before. Didn't notice any difference on road. But I only run with standard equipment.

[bettlesr]

I had my pitman arm shortened. I Had to make an adjustable drag link to center the wheel so straight ahead was at the center (tightest) area in the box. It still turns to the stops on both sides.

[fiftyv8]

So with the guys who are shortening their own arms, do they all go with 1 1/2" or something less???

[Clem Clement]

Rainmaker Ron used to make them. I've had one of his on my car for 10 years. I think it makes the driving easier

[Keith True]

1-1/2 is normal.As somebody put it,2" is too much,and 1",why bother.

[Indiana A. Lover]

buy a new one, one last thing to worry about

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by Indiana A. Lover

buy a new one, one last thing to worry about

I absolutely agree. Why take a chance when you can buy safety at such a low price, save the torch for something that you can't buy this cheap. Wayne

[denis4x4]

Somewhere I picked up a pitman arm that had been bent into loop such a way that it was 1-1/2" shorter and in the correct alignment. Not welded or cut. I've moved it from car to car because it works and it's neat looking!

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by denis4x4

Somewhere I picked up a pitman arm that had been bent into loop such a way that it was 1-1/2" shorter and in the correct alignment. Not welded or cut. I've moved it from car to car because it works and it's neat looking!

Then it should be no problem for the right hand drive cars to heat the short pitman arm and twist it to work on the right side, right?

[Mike V. Florida]

I'm glad to see that people are using the search function on the site. This post is 6 years old.

[fiftyv8]

Is there something wrong with posting on an old thread.
Seemed to me when searching that it was not done and worth digging up old knowledge since folks have had plenty of time to try and test their new shortened pitman arms by now!!!

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by denis4x4

Somewhere I picked up a pitman arm that had been bent into loop such a way that it was 1-1/2" shorter and in the correct alignment. Not welded or cut. I've moved it from car to car because it works and it's neat looking!

But how safe is it. When metal bends it weakens. Wayne