Fixing ball on pitman arm?

T

Tom Elliott

Senior Member
What the best repair on the ball of the pitman arm? I have heard of some horror stories with bad repairs. Don't want any of those problems, want a safe repair. Thanks, Tom
 
Hard-face and a grinder, then file. Thats how grandpop did it. mine that way also till I bought a shortened one from Brattons.
 
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Tom Elliott said:
What the best repair on the ball of the pitman arm? I have heard of some horror stories with bad repairs. Don't want any of those problems, want a safe repair. Thanks, Tom
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I weld up the two worn sides and then grind and file them round again. I do all the steering balls that way. A high amp weld with a lot of deep penetration is not needed; just hot enough for good fusion is all that's necessary. Also the ball does not have to be exactly perfect, just reasonably round as close as possible to 1" diameter.

I have never had this method to fail and the strength of the forging is not compromised and the original ball is maintained.
 
I welded mine up, then filed them round. It's a lot of time and work, so next time A&L will get the job. Their's won't pop off.
 
A & L Parts Specialties, P.O. Box 301, Canton, CT 08019 did a very professional & excellent job on my Pitman arm, steering spindle arm, & spindle double arm ...... very highly recommended by many Model A owners in the past ....... they have been in business for 51 years .... they also have a catalog for top of the line Model A Parts.

Their Phone No.: 860-693-2620 ..... Fax no. & Alternate Phone No. : 860-693-0112
 
I get mine done by Wiley Higgins in Cummin Georgia . Wiley does a wonderfull, beautifull job that can't be detected from a new old stock part. He also offers shortened pitman arms, and many other rebuilt model A parts .
 
Purdy Swoft said:
I get mine done by Wiley Higgins in Cummin Georgia . Wiley does a wonderfull, beautifull job that can't be detected from a new old stock part. He also offers shortened pitman arms, and many other rebuilt model A parts .
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Is he a member on here?
I was thinking of making one 1" shorter to still have the proper travel for the 7 tooth steering box. I wonder if he can make one for me.
 
we have machined the ball off completely leaving just a post, then machines an annealed ball bearing and pressed the ball onto the post and the tig welded it on the bottom
defiantly a lot more work than just drilling a hole and putting in a replacement stud, but also a lot less work than welding and filing back to round
tk
 
Fullraceflathead said:
Is he a member on here?
I was thinking of making one 1" shorter to still have the proper travel for the 7 tooth steering box. I wonder if he can make one for me.
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I'm pretty sure that Wiley will shorten the pitman arm to any length that you would need or want . I'm not sure that my contact info is up to date. You can Google for contact info for Wiley Higgins Cunnin Georgia Or maybe someone will chime in. I'm not the only one on the forum that has dealt with Wiley.
 
Purdy Swoft said:
I'm pretty sure that Wiley will shorten the pitman arm to any length that you would need or want . I'm not sure that my contact info is up to date. You can Google for contact info for Wiley Higgins Cunnin Georgia Or maybe someone will chime in. I'm not the only one on the forum that has dealt with Wiley.
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That would be *******, GA. I'll have to admit though, some of the folk up that way are in fact "Cunnin". LOL
 
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