Shortened pitman arm

Ross/Kzoo

Ross/Kzoo

Well-known member
For whatever reason my drag link rubbed on the tie rod in one direction only. I kept hearing about everyone getting a shortened pitman arm. I put it on yesterday and now I don't have any rubbing and can say that it was worth the price and no regrets. Now I know what Barners meant when they praised the shortened pitman arm.
 
The usual reason for the drag link rubbing on the tie rod is the front spring has fattened out allowing the frame to lower and decreasing the clearance between the drag link and and tie rod. The primary reason to use a short pitman arm is the 20% mechanical advantage it gives the steering. However, after rearching the front spring on my S/W T/S after awhile the spring flattened out again so I did what you did and put on a short pitman arm and, like you, it solved the problem.
 
johnbuckley,

I owned a '29 phaeton for years with a shortened pitman arm. With the shorter arm the circle radius is smaller, but after a short while you won't motice it. Pun intended.....:p I just ordered from Snyder's one for my '31 roadster. :)

Bob-A:D
 
johnbuckley said:
Does a shortened pitman arm reduce the turning circle much?
Click to expand...
Short answer (for 99% of us) is: no difference.

Long answer: As long as the steering box has enough rotation to get the wheels to the stops (i.e., most all boxes), there is no change in the turning circle diameter. The shortened pitman will require more turns of the steering wheel to go from lock to lock and if the steering box does not have some sort of internal problems, it should accommodate the extra turns just fine.
 
I recently rebuilt a 29 steering box and installed the shortened pitman arm. Huge improvement in road handling. Difference in turning radius was not noticeable.
 
The shortened arm does not reduce the turning radius with the 2 tooth steering box. I have heard others say it does on the older 7 tooth box. The 2 tooth box has a good bit more travel than is actually needed for the wheels to hit the stops .
 
I wouldn't use a shortened Pitman arm for all the rice in China.
I think they are great the way they are.
 
I have a tight parking place. Does the shortened arm make it possible to turn the wheel from lock to lock without the A moving? Thanks.
 
Toms,

Personally I would never turn the front tires on an "A" while it is not moving!:eek: I just don't think the steering gear is that strong and attempting to move the wheels in place. Would be to much of a strain on the assembly.:( Just my .02 cents on the subject.:)

Bob-A:D
 
I agree with Bob, and the same goes even with modern cars with power steering. Even if you can't feel the work of turning the front wheels, the working parts on the car can. Plus the wear of scubbing the rubber off the tires only adds to the costs of using the car.
 
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