bent pitman arm

LopezCarguy

LopezCarguy

Senior Member
While restoring front assembly I have been replacing all the ball..then I came to pitman arm...the ball was twisted to side considerably, like as if someone ran into a curb..Real Hard...and drag link pushed ball back...question is: I heated pitman red hot in order to bend ball back in line before replacing ball...is this pitman safe or by heating have I compramised the strength?? They are not expensive, but I try to restore everything that is original if possible...
 
Well!!!! I'd say you compromised the strength, but who am I. I know who I am. Best look for another. If it breaks who knows what direction you will go in if driving. That's my thought Hi Dick!!
 
Don't mistake a natural and designed "turn" of the pitman (to make the balls line up to the spindles on the drag link) But I'm assuming you are aware of this and have considered this possibility.

The problem with heating the pitman arm and bending it back is you are changing the metal properties of the arm in so doing.

This similar to Ford's warning about a bent front axle (also forged.) Bend it cold.

Even so, you may be creating a crack.

Now having warned of cracking, bending may be possible. IF you have the means to detect cracks should they have occurred. Mag-Particle, Dye Penetrant, possibly even Ultrasonic (UT) All of these tests are done to welded articles to find cracking - including pitman arms that have been cut and shortened.

I myself would not. You have enough things that can go wrong in all the embrittled parts that may exist in an 80 year old car. Things you can't determine with near as much certainty perhaps. But the car was designed and built in an age and time which didn't mind design conservatism and it's negative effect on the bottom line.

Repop Pitman's are available. And flea market pitman's are cheaper by half - or more. Don't bother to waste the acetylene gas.

Joe K
 
Thanks for inpute, I was thinking about buying one of those shortened pitman arms for easier steering...guess this will push me over the edge...hi Gary..
 
I personally would not trust a heated Pitman arm. They are a 'dime a dozen' at swap meets. Don't go for the shortened arm. They were made that length for a reason.
 
LopezCarguy said:
Thanks for inpute, I was thinking about buying one of those shortened pitman arms for easier steering...guess this will push me over the edge...hi Gary..
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Go for the shortened arm. Had one on my '30 coupe and it steered/turned a whole lot easier. Cheap upgrade at about 35 bucks, worth every penny......
 
Gary; I may take you up on it, Dick on Island thought he had a extra one also...I need to make trip to Oak Harbor to have the guy there sand blast wheels and powder coat them...do you know him..is he reliable?? Dick
 
Dick I have 25-30 pitman arms but you'd have to wait until we get home. I installed a new shortened arm on my Cabby about 4 yrs. ago & it really makes a diff. in the steering. I bought it from one of the suppliers. It's a new arm & not a modified or shortened one. You lose a little in a the radius of a turn (which I've never noticed) but it's well worth the easier steering. AZ is in the mid 80's & I hear it's raining & snowing at home.
 
Hey Perry, thanks for offer, think I will opt for shortened one...I'm now looking for three 21" wheels..I have two good ones so three would set me up...gonna take them to sand blaster and have them blasted then powder coated "Apple Green" the frame is completed and front end just about finished..putting Rocky Mt. drums on today...
 
I use the shortened arm and love it. My Fordor is heavier than most A's so maybe that makes a difference, don't know. The turning radius is NOT affected on mine, it turns the wheels just as tight as before, I checked it when I put it on. Got mine from Mac's and it is nice. Machined surfaces are nicely done. Would definitely recommend it.
 
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