Pitman Arm

I agree with rdscouple that it needs to be spread a bit. I have a small chisel I use just for that purpose. Slips right on that way. I don't like hammering my screwdrivers.
 
Hopefully I'm staying on subject but my new arm won't cinch up tight. Could I whack it with a hammer so it will tighten up?
Pete
 
what wont tighten up ?? the pinch bolt ? ........................... steve
 
if the arm will not pinch tight, it was either buggered up at the top (perhaps from a hammer) or the sector was worn from having a loose arm for too long. In the former case, get a thin cutoff wheel and grind out the hammered over metal so the gap is clear enough to compress sufficiently to clamp the sector. In the latter case, you might be able to widen the gap enough to get more compression on it, but you might also have to replace the sector or the arm or both. I've seen shims used, but they usually fall out after they get beaten thin enough from any residual motion due to the poor clamping.
 
Steve, Pat,
New sector shaft, arm (different suppliers) and bolt. I was thinking of slipping in some shims but was hoping to avoid that for the reasons stated.
Pete
 
Thanks Pat. I was thinking of that but (I just went out and looked) their's 1/8" gap at the top and the bolt's tighter than hell>
 
Thanks Pat. I was thinking of that but (I just went out and looked) their's 1/8" gap at the top and the bolt's tighter than hell>

then there is some other problem you have not seen yet. Something is interfering with the ability of the arm to clamp down on the sector. I'd remove it and inspect everything closely. I'd also check the bolt to see if it ran out of threads before the nut had clamped the gap shut.
 
I agree check the bolt, the shoulder may be to long ie: not enough thread. If that is the case get the proper size bolt, GRADE # 6 fine thread with a new lock nut.

Just my way !
 
Thread length and bottoming out could be the problem. I never thought of that. Bolt was from supplier also but that could be the problem. Everything else was checked out.
Thanks!
Pete
 
Thanks Pat. I was thinking of that but (I just went out and looked) their's 1/8" gap at the top and the bolt's tighter than hell>
More than once I've seen the bolt tighter than hell and the arm still loose. Further tigntening to the next castle slot closed the gap and eliminated the looseness.
 
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