Can I Flip My Pitman Arm Over?

I'm have just about finished my deuce roadster but notice (rather late in the game, some things just get overlooked!) that the Vega box pitman arm has only 3" ground clearance at the bottom of the drag link connection. It is the lowest point on the car and will certainly pose problems at speed bumps to say the least.

Can I flip the pitman arm over so the drag link connection is on top? I assume it will function properly.

Or should I try to bend this arm or does someone offer a bent pitman arm?

 

Not sure, but the hole in the pitman arm might be tapered, if so, no you cannot flip it.

Otherwise, it should be able top be flipped and gain clearance.

 

The end with the drag link is tapered but the splined shaft out of the steering box is not. It should be a simple removal from the splined shaft and flip it over (famous last words!)

 

The picture is not very clear, but that arm LOOKS to be fabricated and welded, and not WELL-WELDED, either. Why not find an original forged piece which is easily heated and safely bent upward? DD

 

I'm pretty certain that the arm came with the Flaming River Vega box and mounting bracket. The picture quality is poor but there is no evidence of any welding on the arm.

Are Flaming River arms forged?

 

HEAR, HEAR! Good advice! A sound steering linkage is one that is not compromised by welded components!

words to LIVE by...

 

the pitman arm goes on the steering box shaft just one way...although it is splined it is also tapered. you can not flip it


you can retaper the other end so you can put the tie rod end on top. some are already tapered from both ways...check yours

 

i don't think that is a welded pitman arm , i believe one piece stainless steel

check this out:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=185030&highlight=pitman

 

Ditto what 36 said,...You can retaper it, and run the draglink on the top. You can buy a taper tool, or have a local machine shop do it.

Happy Roddin' 4TTRUK

 

And the tapered reamer is 'Only' About $100.

 

yeah , they are kinda spendy and not worth buying if you have only one use , but if you do it a lot i look at it as an investment. i actually have two of them and have been paid to do it

as i said before....some pitman arms have the tie rod end hole already tapered both ways

 

Wrong!! You have a taper on both ends. Easy fix is to re-taper the tierod end from the top only 1/2 way through and put the tierod end on from the top. Any sector shafts that use a nut on the end have a tapered spline there.

 

I have as a SOP to bend the Vega arm so it is backward from it's normal shape and retaper the tie rod end from the top. You look to have an aftermarket arm and I would be hesitant to heat one. I would get a stock arm. The drag link and tie rod will be in better relationship as well.

 

X2 this is the way to go

 

Remove Pitman arm.

Clamp in vise.

Heat and bend.

Allow to cool in still air.

Polish, and reassemble.

DONE.

 

Why are so many scared of welds?

 

Thanks to all for your inputs! I'll pull the stupid thing and bend it!!

 

You can flip it over, but your roof will get scratched...ha!.

Contact Flaming river to see if it their part. If it is, ask if it is acceptable to taper the tie rod hole 1/2 way from the top. Also see if it is OK to heat and bend their part. This is a life and death part, so don't be cheap or stupid with it.

If it is OK to re-taper, check with some local speed shops to see if they have the correct taper reamer.

DO NOT weld on the pitman arm. That is just plain stupid.

 

from what i can see , it appears just putting the tie rod end on top would solve your problem. AS I SAID BEFORE.....IT MAY BE TAPERED BOTH WAYS , TAKE IT OFF AND CHECK IT

i don't believe there is any need to bend it

i'd would have had it off , retapered it if needed , reinstalled , gone for a test drive and be back home with my feet up having a beer already

 

if pitman arms werent supposed to be welded, why are they made of steel?

 

Yep weld them suckers but be sure you KNOW how to weld. Lots of people THINK they can weld !!! But all they do is make pigeon shit!!

 

GM typically tapers the spines on a Pitman shaft,
so the arm only goes on one way.

 

my drag link side of the arm is tapperd on both sides.

 

good point....i guess they could make them out of wood and then just glue them

 

If you cannot find someone to taper the other side..
send it to me and I will do it for you !
I do not loan out my reamers any more, but I will be happy to do it .
Dave

 

Personally i would run a AMERICAN made welded pitman arn over a cast CHINESE one any day! Anyone else?

 

here here!

 

I have several welded pitman arms, and have installed in cars and trucks that I built. My OT/DD has one. It has seen 80,000 hard miles of hauling, towing, and extreme off-road use. No problems, at-all, on ANY of them. Then again, I am an engineer, a certified welder, and have access to Magnaflux equipment.

The sky is still not falling.

 

I dug into the Flaming River and Vega box info and find that many of these arms are "double tapered". I'll check mine and if not double tapered, I'll buy one that is.

Many thanks for all the comments and advice. It's appreciated.

Here's my deuce just back from the paint shop. 401 nailhead, Tremec 5-speed, Winters QC.

I installed the windshield, tail lights and the head lamp buckets yesterday. Drop the gauges back in and I'm ready to ride, steering clear of speed bumps until I correct the pitman arm road clearance.

 

Heat it, bend it, move on.