Pitman Arm Drag Link Failure

Shouldn't those keyhole-shaped slots in the ends of the drag link (and tie rod) hold the ball in place even if the little cups completely disintegrate, or the spring goes to mush?
When I assembled mine, I had to insert the ball in the large end of the slot and slide it down until it was trapped in the narrow end, and then screw in the plug, which prevented the ball from moving back to the large end of the slot.

Perhaps the slot has gotten damaged, and the ball can pass through it even where it shouldn't?

Doug
 
To oldmanandandakid,

The pitman arm was a short one and didn't actually fail. It just shortened my turning radius so much I ended up against the opposite curb and had to back out and complete my turn.

That's pretty dangerous in traffic and unnecessary since a standard pitman arm will make a complete U turn in a residential street.

Richard
Anaheim CA
 
Richard in Anaheim CA said:
To oldmanandandakid,

The pitman arm was a short one and didn't actually fail. It just shortened my turning radius so much I ended up against the opposite curb and had to back out and complete my turn.

That's pretty dangerous in traffic and unnecessary since a standard pitman arm will make a complete U turn in a residential street.

Richard
Anaheim CA
Click to expand...

I had to build an adjustable drag link to achieve it, but both spindles hit the stops on my car with the new short pitman arm. I have no increase in turning circle in either direction.

I re-centered the two-tooth box adjustments after installing and adjusting the drag link.

Joe
 
When I shortened my pitman arm. I calculated the maximum I could shorten it before the spindles would no longer hit the stops. I found the most I could cut out was 1.25". The new ones are 1.5" shorter. I put one on a '29 and it did increase the turning readius a little. It does steer a lot easier though.
Dick
 
I have 1-1/2" shorter pitman arms on my 30 &31 "A",s & turning radius is the same as spindles still hit the stops. Perhaps on 7-tooth columns they cant be shortened as much.
 
If the drag link fell off,maybe the internal parts were assembled wrong & the drag link ball was in line with the hole used to assemble it.
 
I was repainting the steering column on my car this weekend and took it out...I went to put it back in and can't get the pitman arm back on! Seems it has to be lined up exactly perfect! Any suggestions to make it easier?

Joe
 
If you cant get the P-arm back on the sector shaft,drive a chisel in the slot & it should spread enough to slip in place.Make sure the clamp bolt is very tight or there will be looseness in the steering.
 
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