54 pitman arm hits mount bracket???

[Guy M.]

This floored me, all originat stuff and the pitman is hiting the mount bracket and losing a full turn left. Any touughts? Just come back from the alighnment shop and aii is good till this happened. Do I sound stressed? Im lost. HELPPPP. Thanks All the numbers are correct. Can the drak link save the day???????

[Chris S.]

Re: 54 pitman arm hits mount bracket???

Guy
What bracket ?
Pic?

[Guy M.]

Re: 54 pitman arm hits mount bracket???

I think my body guy didnt center the gear box at TDC. It must be 360 degrees out resulting that when the wheels are straight we're already half way thru the left hand travel thus when the pitman cant go any further to the left, the tire is only positioned half way thru the turn. The steering box needs to be at TDC and the drag link adjusted to line up with the 3rd arm with the tires at straight ahead. That gives 2 1/8 revolutions on either side of TDC. This is what I was thinking at 3:00 am. Im asuming the drag link set up is the same as a 57 that the large end is on the stearing shaft for 54 yes?

[Chris S.]

Re: 54 pitman arm hits mount bracket???

Are you sure you have 53-55 steering parts
The pitman arm links are 53-55 only
there is a large one and a small one with a short threaded connector....
I can try and get you a photo

[John L.]

Re: 54 pitman arm hits mount bracket???

Hello Guy,
One question that my need to be taken into account....did you install the later model shims between the crossmember and the frame. I had the same problem and had to remove the shims and moved onto another aspects of the restoration figuring I would follow up again before the body drop.
JmL

[Timothy I.]

Re: 54 pitman arm hits mount bracket???

I'm having the same issue with my recently-restored '57. I've been meaning to put it on the lift and see what's preventing the wheels from turning full left, but haven't yet gotten around to it. I'll be very intersted to hear what you find out.

Tim

[Gary C.]

Re: 54 pitman arm hits mount bracket???

Guy,

What is the part number on the steering knuckle support bracket that bolts to the front cross member and the pitman arm part number that connects to the support bracket?

Gary
....

[Guy M.]

Re: 54 pitman arm hits mount bracket???

Well good news and my panic is over. It was exacly what I thought. The colume was not at TDC when the drag link was connected. It should be about 2 1/8 to 2 1/4 revolutions from all the way left or right to TDC. The hash mark at 12:00. At that point with the wheel straight, connect the drag to the box or 3rd arm and adjust it to hit the other. It really helps to have someone hold the steering wheel at this point to keep the pitman arm from moving untill the final connection. If it moves off TDC while fighting the connections, you wont know and it wont be at TDC. When the wheels are straight you should be able to take a straight edge from between the two bolts at the radiator support to the center of the tie rod connections. This will permit the wheels to turn fully in both directions. Dont be supprised that once on the alignment rack, the hash mark on the mast might not be at 12:00 although by the book its supposed to. Mine ended up at 12:30 but I got about 2 full turns of the wheel in both directions. This was the best it could do. Not perfect but it drives ok. The drag link big end goes on the steering shaft, it has two springs in it. 1957 should be the same but different pitman arm. This is my story and Im sticking to it. Thanks for all the help, its much appreciated. John.....Im working the bugs out for you, Good luck. I did not use shimms, they dont work.