Pitman arm

[Lefthander1930]

I see they offer a shorten Pitman arm What's the pros and cons ? They say for easier Steering ?

Also New pitman are cheaper than recondition ones with new ball ?

Pro & cons please

 

[Thodge]

Pro: noticeably lighter steering
Con: slightly bigger turning radius.

I installed one and have no regrets.

 

[CWPASADENA]

Definitely easier steering, highly recommended.

Chris W.

 

[Synchro909]

If there is any slackness anywhere in the steering, the shortened pitman arm will result in much more freeplay in the steering wheel. I don't like them.

 

[Keith True]

I've got three in use right now.I've always liked them.I never quite got the reduced turning radius thing,my spindles hit the stops with the long pitman arm,and they hit the stops with the short one.I was told years ago that any slop would be the same if it was in the box itself,but slop from the pitman forward would be amplified.It has never been an issue for me,so I never sat down to think it through to confirm or debunk it.I did find that any slop is more noticeable,and you have to be a little quicker on the corrections with the short arm.The first one I tried felt a little funny to me,but after a week I got used to it.If I had not driven the car with the long arm first I never would have known the difference.

 

[JayJay]

I’ve heard that the short arm changes the position of the steering wheel at straight forward, and an adjustable drag link is the solution. Any truth to that?

 

[SAXBY2]

I’ve heard that the short arm changes the position of the steering wheel at straight forward, and an adjustable drag link is the solution. Any truth to that?

Yes; depending on gears' condition (2 tooth steering), the off-center can be 1/16 to 1/8" or more. Other car brands in the 30's, the sector gear end and pitman arm were splined to accommodate the condition and to return front wheels to straight ahead condition (which the adj. drag link does ) before removing steering gear free play..

 

[Thodge]

I never quite got the reduced turning radius thing,my spindles hit the stops with the long pitman arm,and they hit the stops with the short

I don’t really get it either but on my car it certainly feels like it’s wider. I think it’s a perception thing because you have to give more steering input for the same turn. Like you say, if the car were stationary and you had it turned to the stops, the circle should be the same. But in normal driving, I don’t think it’s getting all the way to the stops unless you’re negotiating a tight parking spot.

 

[Fullraceflathead]

I put 1 on my 28 roadster pickup and never look back I definitely have the same turning radius but I also have a 7 tooth steering box!!!