1936 Ford pitman arm

[Freoway]

Hi folks,

Anyone know where I can buy a '36 Pitman arm and associated bushings?

I haven't replaced one of these before, so I'm not sure if the bushings are simply a regular tapered press fit. Trying to find a decent diagram is a bit tricky too.

Cheers,

Lloyd

 

[JM 35 Sedan]

No bushings in the '36 pitman arm. Splines on steering sector shaft end and tapered hole on drag link end. Not sure who may sell these new/nos, but good used ones should be easy to find. Maybe a want ad here would turn one up for you.

edit: here is a diagram of the steering box on Mac Van Pelt's great/informative website...

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/FH_images/FH_steeringear-pics/Flathead_SteeringGear_1933to36.jpg

 

[TerryOH]

I understand there is a lot of play in your steering. Is the play in the shaft into the steering box (sector shaft) or in the tie rod end to the pitman arm? Ford in 36 went to needle bearings for the sector shaft (all other years used bushings) If the bearings are bad this will result in a lot of play of the sector shaft. Also if the sector is not adjusted properly to the steering worm this could result in play, but the play is of different type.

 

[alanwoodieman]

if you have a true 36 steering box-you have needle bearings (2) in the steering box, only year Ford did that.

 

[Kurt in NJ]

There are aftermarket sectors that come with thick brass bushings to replace the needle bearings
the surface hardness of a sector for needle bearings should be different than for one designed for bushings --and as mentioned in other posts this is the only year the needle bearings were original

the pitman arm usually doesn't wear --unless the nuts were left loose

there are several adjustments, if you don't find good information on how to adjust look it up for model A ford --these adjustments are easiest done with the steering gear out of the car