Pitman arm

[olguy]

Hi guys,
Just another tyro question...my steering box was mounted so that the output shaft is under the frame pointing out rail and the pitman arm points up. I think it's a vega box.
When I went to mount the arm, I found it would interfere with the radius rod mounts when it went forward (left turn). This can be resolved by rotating the arm to the 2
'o' clock position when the wheel is centered. I tried that and the steering moves smoothly through the range. Is that an O.K. solution, or do I have to find an offset arm so that the arm is vertical at center steering?
Any suggestions would be appreciated...thanks, olguy

 

[Duke]

The box's has to be in the center of travel when you are going straight. With the Pittman arm straight up the arch of travel for a left turn and right turn is the same, giving you the same steering response either direction. By moving the Pittman arm to the 2:00 position, the arc is is not the same in both directions. In your case you would not be able to turn much to the left. You would have a slower response to the right than to the left. This makes the car have a very strange driving feel - possibly an unsafe condition in my opinion.
You maybe able find a Pittman arm with a dog leg in it, to clear any obstruction.

 

[Chief-T]

The box's has to be in the center of travel when you are going straight. With the Pittman arm straight up the arch of travel for a left turn and right turn is the same, giving you the same steering response either direction. By moving the Pittman arm to the 2:00 position, the arc is is not the same in both directions. In your case you would not be able to turn much to the left. You would have a slower response to the right than to the left. This makes the car have a very strange driving feel - possibly an unsafe condition in my opinion.
You maybe able find a Pittman arm with a dog leg in it, to clear any obstruction.

I've also found that an uncentered steering box can contribute to death wobble.

 

[RPM]

I think what he is saying is, he is going to center the box, but then move the pitman arm to the 2 o'clock position. So the steering box is still centered. BUT what happens when the pitman arm goes to 3 o'clock? I don't think I could recommend that, even though the steering box would be centered.

 

[olguy]

I think what he is saying is, he is going to center the box, but then move the pitman arm to the 2 o'clock position. So the steering box is still centered. BUT what happens when the pitman arm goes to 3 o'clock? I don't think I could recommend that, even though the steering box would be centered.

Yep, you're right, I did mean that I would center the box and the resulting arm position would be at about 2 'o' clock. I tried it statically and it seemed O.K. I know it seems wierd, but it doesn't go far enough back to get to a position that could cause any kind of lock-up. I would be happy to use an offset arm, just for aesthetics if nothing else...I just don't have a clue what arm might work. If I try to heat and offset the stock arm, I'm afraid it might end up too short and maybe damaged since it would have to be bent very close to the splined end.

 

[GAB]

Here is my solution to what I think is the same problem. This is a Vega box that is mounted below the frame.

 

[Duke]

Here is my solution to what I think is the same problem. This is a Vega box that is mounted below the frame.

There is a good example of a dog leg in the Pittman Arm.

 

[olguy]

Here is my solution to what I think is the same problem. This is a Vega box that is mounted below the frame.

 

[olguy]

Here is my solution to what I think is the same problem. This is a Vega box that is mounted below the frame.

 

[olguy]

Here is my solution to what I think is the same problem. This is a Vega box that is mounted below the frame.

 

[olguy]

Hey GAB,
That fabricated arm is beautiful...if I had the equipment (and the ability,) I'd make one of those..do you sell something like that? I can supply a rough dimensioned sketch of what would work.
If you don't fab for profit, does anyone have an idea where I can get one done to my sketch? I'm in the sticks and there's no metal fabricating shop nearby.
Thanks,
olguy