Short Pittman Arm

L

lrjones

Member
I just installed a short pittman arm on my 31 coupe. Before installing it I checked the steering wheel movement. Turning to the left was 1 3/8 turns, turning to the right was 1 turn. After the short pittman arm was installed I can get 1 1/2 turns to the left and only 5/8 or a turn to the right. Seems like a lot of difference from left turn to right turns. I haven't checked the turning radius yet as I still have it up on jack stands for additional work. I was wondering if this is about what I should expect or should I look at measures to correct that. Looking forward to see what improvement I'll get. Thank you
 
A drag link length adjustment is necessary to get an equal number of turns from center to full locks. The number of turns of the wheel need to be equal as much as possible. If not possible, then for the U.S. right hand driving, you need a tighter turn for turning right on our streets than turning left on our streets. Still strive for equal if at all possible.
 
lrjones said:
I just installed a short pittman arm on my 31 coupe. Before installing it I checked the steering wheel movement. Turning to the left was 1 3/8 turns, turning to the right was 1 turn. After the short pittman arm was installed I can get 1 1/2 turns to the left and only 5/8 or a turn to the right. Seems like a lot of difference from left turn to right turns. I haven't checked the turning radius yet as I still have it up on jack stands for additional work. I was wondering if this is about what I should expect or should I look at measures to correct that. Looking forward to see what improvement I'll get. Thank you[/QUOTE

you should find someone that has worked on Model A's previously. You obviously have a serious problem beyond your mechanical ability. I would not drive it until it has been adjusted properly. Wayne]
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I just found out that if you move the jack stand it will turn further to the right. Now I get 1 1/2 turns each way. My bad.
 
I took mine off my sport coupe, and put the original back on. The steering effort is about the same and the radius is better.
 
glenn in camino said:
I took mine off my sport coupe, and put the original back on. The steering effort is about the same and the radius is better.
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My steering effort is considerably easier. So much so that I have changed all my cars to the short version. Wayne
P.s. I would be happy to buy the one that you removed. Please send me a pm.
 
How does a shorter pitman arm affect the turning radius? Is it so short that turning the steering wheel entirely to the end of travel doesn't let the stops make contact? My roadster (29) has exactly the same radius with a shorter Pitman. The stops come into play both directions, Just more turning to get there, but with any movement of the car steering is with two fingers and returns to straight ahead if I release the wheel a bit and let it slide through my fingers. It has been a real back saver for me on winding roads. Perhaps the pitman is too short and can't move the wheels to the stops.
 
Should have gone to spec savers ??? Have them on my LHD,s That's why we are having RHD ones produced soon, Certainly makes for lighter steering & lets face it Ford did it in 32 but then they had a heavy engine if a V8,
 
Not sure how you measure turning radius but, I measured from the inside tire to the inside tire after turning 180 degrees to the left and it took about 2 feet more width after changing to the short arm. Less effort required.
 
Jones,
I appreciate a Man that ADMITS his dumb moves. BOY, have I done some classic ones. Once, Gregg, (RIP), put a bottle jack under my R/R & it wouldn't move, HMMM! I turned it off, restarted, & guess what? It STILL wouldn't MOVE!!! Sure miss my Kid, he was a lot of FUN.
Bill Idiot
 
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