Technical F1 steering hiccup

Recently installed F1 steering on my 28 Sport coupe but the drag link ball opening faces away from the ball on the pitman arm. Does any one have a solution? I have searched the site and haven't found anyone else with this issue. I can cut the ball off the pitman and order a new weld in ball, drill and weld it on the right side? or...I can heat and twist the drag link to face the right direction? Seems line the F1 drag links that are available are too short. Please advise and Thanks.

 

Easier solution is to make a new drag link by shortening a Model A tie-rod.

 

I vote heat and twist.

 

I would cut, sleeve, and weld before heat and twist or do what Fritz Jr sez.

 

The steering arms are Forged Steel. A little heat won't hurt them at all, just don't over do it. Look close and you'll see even the steering arm balls are rotated. Been done a Bazaillion times over the years. I've never heard of one braking or bending more on it's own. Some just understand things and others over think it and never get things done.

 

Contact Randy Gross and see what he recommends, [email protected] or 714-292-8660. He is the Model A guy on fordbarn that does these as a business.

Charlie Stephens

 

My Model A tie rod needed to be shortened, so I cut off one end and had it threaded. Then I used a Model A tie rod end, and screwed it on to the correct length and rotation.

 

Same as I did in above photo. If a little heat damaged forged steel none of us would be running Dropped Ford I-Beams. Think about that one a bit.

 

Get a 40"s car pitman that has a tapered hole.Macs ford parts ,and others sells a "Ball" stud with taper ,and thread on the other end.It allows you to use model A rod ends on 40"s spindles etc.If the car pitman has the taper on the wrong side run a 7 degree reamer in the other side,With this adapter in place you can use your early drag link.....update..part number at Mac"s 32-26521-1

 

Every passenger car arm from 32 to 48 will fit the F-1 box. Some had the end pointing out and some in. And if you wanted you could also just retaper the hole halfway from the other side.

 

On my '28 with F100 steering, I founds some ends and made the bar the right length.

 

Thanks for all of the replies. I will let you know how it works out.

 

Twisted and done. Thanks for all the recommendations

 

Thanks for posting the outcome.

 

Took it out for a drive yesterday. Steering is great. Thanks again,

 

I love the K.I.S.S. method. Specially when it works.

 

I documented roadster build almost a decade ago on here and I heated and twisted the pitman arm. some folks lost they damn mind... ha

In this particular case I would just make an adjustable drag link. It will give you the ability to fine tune the steering wheel position/box absolute center as well as solve your issue. I like to keep the drag link on the inside of the pitman arm if possible, helps keep it out of the tire on sharp left turns.

 

A 34 Ford pitman arm would also put the ball on the inside.