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Power Steering Pitman Arm

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by SierraCJ5, Oct 22, 2017.

  1. Oct 22, 2017
    SierraCJ5

    SierraCJ5 New Member

    Bakersfield CA
    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2011
    Messages:
    14
    Hello Gents, a few years ago I added saginaw power steering to my 1967 CJ5. It works terrific, however, I'm interested in trying to find a shorter pitman arm to slow steering response. I'm currently using an arm that is 6.5 inches center to center. My steering gear has a 32 spline 1.25 inch shaft. My front axle is a D30 with the double hole knuckle. I haven't done the math yet to determine the necessary pitman shaft length to get lock-to-lock steering but I'm prepared to do this if necessary. Figured asking you guys may save me some time; is someone is aware of a part number suitable for this? If you're not aware of a stock part number, does anyone know of a place where I can get a custom length arm?

     
  2. Oct 22, 2017
    SierraCJ5

    SierraCJ5 New Member

    Bakersfield CA
    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2011
    Messages:
    14
    My gear is 3.3 turns lock-to-lock which I understood this to be the slow ratio. Should I be looking for a slower gear? I believe my situation is that the longer pitman arm I'm using doesn't allow my steering gear to move through it's full range of motion. This is why I thought I'd look for a shorter pitman arm.
     
  3. Oct 23, 2017
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    I'll be running a 6" (hole-to-hole) flat arm from an Astro van on my project jeep. Sorry, I don't know the year; I pulled it from the u-pull-it yard. I'm not sure you'll find a shorter (flat) one than that without going custom.

    I'm not sure you'd notice enough of a difference in a half inch to make it worth it. IMO, switching to a 2-hole knuckle should have slowed it down a fair amount, no?

    Is your box 3.3 turns without the drag link hooked up? If so, how many turns with it connected?

    I have a slow-ratio box here that is just over 4 turns lock to lock. If your box is 3.3 while disconnected, there are surely lower ratio boxes out there.
     
  4. Oct 23, 2017
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2014
    Messages:
    3,549
    I am assuming that you are able to turn your tires from spring to spring?
    Also, what is your steering wheel diameter? If you have something like a 13" wheel, its easy to saw on that thing going down the road. A 15" wheel really smooths things out.
     
  5. Oct 23, 2017
    scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    Seattle Wa.
    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2002
    Messages:
    2,361
    I see you mounted your steering box just like I did. I have the fast ratio steering box. I have come to like it. Yes it is fast for the freeway, but for off road it saves me from turning the steering wheel so much. If you have good steering parts this shouldn't be a problem. My Jeep is really stable at freeway speeds. 70+ is no problem.
     
  6. Oct 24, 2017
    SierraCJ5

    SierraCJ5 New Member

    Bakersfield CA
    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2011
    Messages:
    14
    I just verified, steering hits the stops on the D30 both left and right. Total range takes a touch under 2.25 turns with my steering wheel. This is why I'm looking for a shorter pitman arm, so my steering box's full range of motion can be used. Any ideas on a shorter arm?
     
    Mcruff likes this.
  7. Oct 24, 2017
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
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    6,656
  8. Oct 25, 2017
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    But even with a slower box, he won't be gaining much more (in terms of steering wheel rotations) without a shorter arm. Right now he's got a 3.3-turn box that is only yielding 2.25 turns. A 4-turn box might yield 3 turns stop-to-stop with the same pitman arm.

    The issue is more with not being able to utilize what is already there. A shorter arm will, in essence, create a slower ratio box by moving the drag link slower during the same steering input, allowing the full travel of the existing box to be used. Less drag link speed, and with more leverage.
     
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2017
  9. Oct 25, 2017
    y2k-fxst

    y2k-fxst Member

    North English,IA
    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2014
    Messages:
    293
    Here you go, they offer pitman arms either blank or drilled. Sam's Offroad Saginaw Pittman Arm - SAMS OFFROAD

    Have also seen people that have cut the splined area out of a factory pitman arm and turning it on a lathe, then cutting a blank out of plate steel and TIG welding the cut-out splined area in. If you don't have your own lathe, mill, and TIG welder and have to hire it out the blank above would be cheaper and would be all 1 piece.
     
  10. Oct 25, 2017
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2012
    Messages:
    3,784
    3.5 turns L/R of center is about a 14:1 ratio..............which is pretty standard for most Jeeps.......anything quicker can get some Jeeps in trouble at freeway speeds especially a short wheelbase one.
    I personally like the variable ratio Power Steering gear boxes........that go from 16:1 dead center straight ahead driving to 12:1 out at the turning edges..........which gives you the best of both worlds. Slow steering in the middle and faster steering as your turning..........

    As far as Pittman Arms.........the shorter you go the less movement you will get at the wheel hub / rim & tire.........In a perfect world the length of the steering arm attachment point at the spindle from Center axis should be close to the same length of the Pittman Arm from center sector shaft axis to create a 1:1 ratio.............But we all know that is not always possible.........most Power steering gear Pittman Arms are dropped versions and are about 5.5" C/C..........and most manual ones are closer to 7"...........

    No problem in running a shorter Pittman Arm as long as you don't loose any turning angle. And most gear boxes would like to be stopped by the axle stops rather than the gear box internal stops.

    Below are two Pittman arms that I've used in the past.............One is a dropped version @ about 5.5" and the other is flat that can go all the way to 7" and can be drilled to fit............. both are splined for the Saginaw 800 sector shaft............both have no Key in the spline.
    Parts Mike in Auburn , CA. has a pretty good selection of Arms on there shelf

    [​IMG]
     
  11. Oct 25, 2017
    johneyboy03

    johneyboy03 The green beast

    Quebec, Canada
    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2011
    Messages:
    2,115
    Maybe out of subject but you could also use scout dana 44 knukkle. They have a very long arm is you compare to the oem that cj have. You have to use everything on the knukkle (hub, spindle, galiper and disq) and you keep the outer shaft and the manual lock.
     
  12. Oct 25, 2017
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
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    6,656
    I like your different thinking to achieve the same outcome, but that would probably force the tie rod and drag link out away from the axle so far that he'd have to move the box out toward the bumper more, or at minimum require a shorter pitman arm for clearance, doubling the effect. He doesn't appear to have a whole lot of room to spare between the tie rod and drag link.
     
    johneyboy03 likes this.
  13. Oct 27, 2017
    SierraCJ5

    SierraCJ5 New Member

    Bakersfield CA
    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2011
    Messages:
    14
    Thanks for all the responses guys. I'll do the math this weekend, determine which length I need and either order or fab the right length arm.
     
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
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