Short pitman arms, who's got one?

T

theHIGHLANDER

Senior Member
I'm very pleased that Mrs Highlander wants to drive the PU now and then when it's done. Major step up from a woman who's refused to drive a stick shift ANYTHING for the 23yrs we've been together. Do the short arms make the steering much easier? I noticed her working the wheel pretty hard moving it around the yard, so that's why I ask. Thanks in advance.
 
I've got one and like it. Can't really tell as I rebuilt my steering at the same time. Seems a little quicker but turning radius is somewhat less.
Pete
 
Is she trying to turn the wheel while the car is still? The steering becomes much easier with the slightest movement of the car. My sweet thang had the same issue.

GW
 
Have them on both Model A's and like them. steering seems 20% easier and same turning radius. Wheels go to stops like before.
 
They help a lot. Late (?) AA's came with a short pitman arm, really too short for most passenger use. I have one on my speedster and it reduces the turning radius a bit.
 
Best deal is the F100 box for lady drivers , its elagant, smooth, & fits right in , Try the editor of FAST mag , Ron sells them, these are the rebuilt orig ones not the repo ones .Pos Mel Gross ones, We like ours , also have a short A one fitted on couple of vehicles & yes much better, less direct, Ford did it in 32 so must be good.Derek from a nippy autum day. in NZ
 
A short Pitman Arm and High Compression Head are the two best things I did to My 'A'. The 3:54 rear end is a close third!
 
I put a shortend piman arm on my 29 Todor. To me it seemed to really make steering the car much easyer. I have noticed no issues with the turning radius.
 
Well, I'll have to try it. I can drive anything, but if it means less effort she should enjoy it that much more. This is all new for her and I'm likin it. Thanks for the info.
 
Ive shortened the pitman arm as well as needle brgs & needle thrust brg on sector hsg & teflon ball seats & my coupe steers easier than my late model Camry.No need for F-100 steering.
 
I got my shortened arm from Mac's. Its on my Fordor sedan. No sacrifice of turning radius and it definitely makes the steering much easier. I can see no down side, why would everyone not want one? Some have mentioned turning radius issues, there must be differences with different cars. I actually checked mine because I was worried it would change, it did not. Definitely worth the few bucks and 15 minutes time to install it.
 
A properly restored steering box and related front end components will eliminate the need for shortened pitman arms, F-100 steering boxes etc.

Drive a Model A with a correctly restored steering system- it might surprise you at how easy one steers.
 
I've got a shortened pitman arm, and, like Walt above, think it makes steering slightly easier and have noticed no turning radius issues. I can even turn the wheels easily when the car is standing still on the garage floor. I've also got the teflon seats, though I doubt they make much difference. The shortened pitman arm, purely from a physics standpoint, just seems to provide better leverage.
 
RHD said:
I wouldn't touch a shortened Pitman with a fourty foot pole.
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I bought a Model A with a shortened pitman arm already installed several years ago. The arm broke. Luckily we were only going about ten miles an hour and did not wreck and get killed. We had just exited a six lane highway filled with tractor trailers driving 60 mph. Can't imagine what would have happened if it had broken at speed. I have posted pictures of the broken arm here before.

If going with a shortened arm either know it's history as to who welded it back together and their skill level or buy one of the new forged short arms that the venders are selling.

I did like the shortened arm right up to the point that it broke.
 
Richard Wilson said:
I bought a Model A with a shortened pitman arm already installed several years ago. The arm broke. .
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the ones sold by the vendors now are forged in one piece. Originally, they were made by cutting an old one and welding it. That was a very bad idea unless welded by a certified welder. There were a lot that were not. There are many horror stories from those days. Be sure what you are buying is a one piece, forged arm.

I installed new spindle balls ( a commonly worn and neglected part), teflon seats and a shortened arm. It steers very nice. I see no need for an F-100 box. It steers almost as easily, but without the boat like effect I seem to have seen in most F100 boxes.

Henry shortened the pittman arm in 32. He must have been on to something.
 
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