Steering Gear / Pitman Arm

[Mrbrylcreem]

Hello. Does anyone know if there are after market steering gear arms. Mine is badly warm on the one side.

Edited October 29, 2014 by Mrbrylcreem

[MBF]

I think VPW has them for power wagons, but I'mt sure about the aftermarket, for 2wd trucks.  I'm thinking that a good machine shop should be able to build it up with weld and reshape it.  Mike

[Mrbrylcreem]

Mike. Hello and many thanks for the reply. I have just sent VPW an email enquiring about there Pitman arm.

[austinsailor]

I might have one - what is it off of?

[Mrbrylcreem]

Hey. It's off a 47 Dodge 1/2 ton.

[ggdad1951]

my guess that part is drop forged and the only way to get that strength needed for that part would be to make them that way.  I'd search for a used part to replace.  Maybe try Midwest Military or Dodge Central?

[austinsailor]

What I have is pilothouse.

[MBF]

Mr Bryllcreem: I looked at your photo again.  I just happened to remember-that style steering setup has the adjustable caps on the pitman arm end(s).  In addition to being adjustable, the inner caps are replaceable and available through several suppliers.  You may want to get a rebuild kit to go along with whatever you decide to do with the pitman arm.   Mike

Edited October 29, 2014 by MBFowler

[Mrbrylcreem]

Mike. I have purchased two new Drag link kits from Roberts. The previous owner had reversed one of the caps on the bad side of the Pitman. As it had warn so badly.

[Young Ed]

Unfortunately this is common at least for 39-47 trucks. When Dad found one for his 40 Plymouth they told him it was the last one known to man. Of course they couldn't really know that but apparently hard to find. Also be aware there is an early and late steering box and I am not sure if they use the same pitman arm.

[Mrbrylcreem]

How do you tell which steering box I have.

[Desotodav]

I checked a 40-47 truck parts manual that I have Wade and it appears that (if your truck is a DD1-16 ... 1/2 ton 1947 model?) your steering box went back to the same as the earlier models - part # 584490 for the 'steering gear housing assembly' (for the RHD model).

There seems to have been a change in steering boxes between the DB2 and DB3 models in 1940 (as Ed suggested), but then they appear to have gone back to the original steering box design at the start of your model (according to the parts manual).