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Old 08-01-2021, 07:04 PM   #1
Gold Digger
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Default Shorting pitman arm

I know this is not the AA truck forum but will shorting the pitman arm on a AA truck work as well as on the cars and pickups? I have two, a 30 and a 31 1 1/2 ton trucks that need some help on the steering wheel end. I have measured the arms on the trucks and on the cars and both seam to be the same lengths for pitman arms and the arm that the drag link connects to on the axel end are the same. Just wondering if anyone has done the short pitman arm on the AA's,
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Old 08-01-2021, 08:01 PM   #2
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Default Re: Shorting pitman arm

Your turning radius will increase. You may not like it.
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Old 08-01-2021, 08:06 PM   #3
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Default Re: Shorting pitman arm

I'd leave it as it should be.
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Old 08-01-2021, 10:04 PM   #4
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Default Re: Shorting pitman arm

The turning radius will stay the same. It will just take more turns of the steering wheel to get around a corner. In other words, the steering will be slower.
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Old 08-01-2021, 10:14 PM   #5
Al 29Tudor
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Default Re: Shorting pitman arm

The turning radius will not increase because the radius is controlledby the king pin wedge nuts. The spindle will turn until it contacts the special domed nut and then stop.
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Old 08-01-2021, 10:24 PM   #6
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Default Re: Shorting pitman arm

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X2 on posts 4 & 5
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Old 08-01-2021, 10:56 PM   #7
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Default Re: Shorting pitman arm

Quote:
Originally Posted by Al 29Tudor View Post
The turning radius will not increase because the radius is controlledby the king pin wedge nuts. The spindle will turn until it contacts the special domed nut and then stop.
Al
Depends on how much you shorten it.
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Old 08-02-2021, 12:23 PM   #8
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Default Re: Shorting pitman arm

Thanks for the information. I have several extra pitman arms and I'll try shorting one about 1 1/2 inches and see if that helps about steering. This truck has good king pins and trust bearings but is hard to steer. Everything seems to be in good shape from sector to king pins. If shorting pitman arm don't help I can put the original back on.
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Old 08-02-2021, 01:37 PM   #9
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Default Re: Shorting pitman arm

There is always power assist as long as you don't have to keep original.
You don't have to modify the original steering with the assist system.
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Old 08-03-2021, 07:14 AM   #10
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Default Re: Shorting pitman arm

[QUOTE= This truck has good king pins and trust bearings but is hard to steer. Everything seems to be in good shape from sector to king pins. If shorting pitman arm don't help I can put the original back on.[/QUOTE]

If you shorten the pitman, arm will it shorten the lever action make it even
harder to steer? Just asking!!
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Old 08-03-2021, 07:26 AM   #11
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Default Re: Shorting pitman arm

Shortening the pitman arm will make it easier to steer. Just make sure everything else in the suspension is good.
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Old 08-03-2021, 07:51 AM   #12
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Default Re: Shorting pitman arm

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Originally Posted by kimlinh View Post
Shortening the pitman arm will make it easier to steer.
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Old 08-03-2021, 11:41 AM   #13
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Default Re: Shorting pitman arm

When I shortened mine, I first calculated it in AutoCAD and found that 1-1/4" let the stops on the arms at the wheels touch just before the box ran out of movement. This didn't widen the turning radius at all.
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Old 08-03-2021, 12:28 PM   #14
Chris Haynes
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Default Re: Shorting pitman arm

Easier and safer to buy a short pitman arm. https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/P...earchByKeyword
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