Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: wildwood on May 04, 2009, 04:52:08 PM

Title: Pitman Arm
Post by: wildwood on May 04, 2009, 04:52:08 PM
Here's one I'm having problems researching...
I have a Terraflex high steering set up on the YJ (LHD) and all is well does the job etc. no death wobble and no steering damper
BUT I have a need for more steering ..... or less of a turning circle. My wheels now come to within 2" of the springs either side and before the set up were .25" away from springs. The standard pitman arm on a LHD is 6" from centre of spline end to centre of TRE.
Is there any longer Pitman arm that would help.
Is a dropped arm any longer
I tried to simulate a 2" drop with spirit level and stuff and that might give me 1.25" either side not quite enough...
Any ideas anyone???
Title: Re: Pitman Arm
Post by: isle of man on May 04, 2009, 05:02:09 PM
Move your TRE further inbound on the arms...
Title: Re: Pitman Arm
Post by: wildwood on May 04, 2009, 05:40:19 PM
Tried that........but it just gives more lock one side than the other...... if you see what I mean? Or better one side and worse the other.
Title: Re: Pitman Arm
Post by: isle of man on May 04, 2009, 05:49:39 PM
I do understand.........The TRE I'm talking about are both on the steering yoke - do you have the conventional Y set up?
Title: Re: Pitman Arm
Post by: wildwood on May 04, 2009, 06:05:43 PM
Ah! See where your coming from! No, ditched the 'Y' set up to avoid the death wobbles and ripped ball  joints, that come with lifts.
I have Two big octagonal 2" rods one across from knuckle to knuckle and the other from pitman arm to high steering arm on right side Terraflex knuckle.

Steering rod is 34" long and if dropped by 2" would nett 30mm extra (1.25) left and right lock.

Don't really want to use dropped pitman, as my two rods are nearly parallel now and any drop would mean the two rods would touch on articulation as I have the tie rod mounted top side of the knuckle. Only easy way seems to be a pitman arm that is 1" or 2" longer. If it gives too much lock that can always be controlled by the stops.
Title: Re: Pitman Arm
Post by: isle of man on May 04, 2009, 06:18:12 PM
Then your only option is the pitman - be careful they have a master spline...Binding issues are possible also on flex - droop or stuff.

For me I'm seriously considering going full hydraulic....What you are now experiencing I have lived with for over 36 months.
Title: Re: Pitman Arm
Post by: wildwood on May 04, 2009, 06:30:22 PM
I can put up with it....but, I guess its only trials with Lardies and Suzis (see other post) that got my goat, yesterday.

Have a dark confession that I came home and looked at Samurais on e-bay (loads for about £200-£500) just for trialing???!!!
But don't worry all, face in a cold basin of water and I'm alright now.

By the way is full hydraulic road legal in 'Man'? Have an idea not too 'kosher' here in nanny state blighty.
Title: Re: Pitman Arm
Post by: Panic mechanic! on May 04, 2009, 06:38:16 PM
i think you can have fully hydraulic but the vehicle speed may have to be limited.its similar to having a hydraulic handbrake, you can have one but you still need a fully operational mechanical connection in case of failure, so you can still steer ( not with the handbrake)
Title: Re: Pitman Arm
Post by: isle of man on May 04, 2009, 07:01:20 PM
Full hydro is legal but at a price "that is" you need to change the vehicle status from PLG.

I know exactly your chain of thought with those pesky Suzuki things - the throw away attitude - light weight little fooooookers - you have to secretly appreciate them.
Title: Re: Pitman Arm
Post by: Panic mechanic! on May 04, 2009, 07:11:03 PM
was just talking to bubba on the phone , and he says he's not quite sure about the legality at present of a full hydraulic system over here yet,he was saying you may be able to use a "ram assist system to make things lighter, but we both think your there may be a possibility of getting your working fine,but that its going to take a lot of playing about to get it sorted.

slighty different bit here, but theres a bet on this so I got to ask it,Pete,
 whats your favourite cake?
Title: Re: Pitman Arm
Post by: isle of man on May 04, 2009, 07:22:32 PM
I will set the Lithuanian on any miss informed MOFO who says full hydro is not legal in the UK....It is but you must remove yourself from PLG!!!!

For cake you only have JAFFA!!!!

But I guess Hummdinger drives like fruit cake!!!


AND WHO THE FOOOOOOK IS PETE?
Title: Re: Pitman Arm
Post by: Panic mechanic! on May 04, 2009, 07:25:31 PM
so we are both wrong?
kev reckoned you liked apple turnovers and I said you were definitely a upside down cake kinda guy.
Sorry about the Typo

so what does it become if not PLG?
Title: Re: Pitman Arm
Post by: isle of man on May 04, 2009, 07:38:22 PM
I will let you figure that one out - give you something to do this night!!!!

As for the TYPO - the strongest tree in the forest is the one that bends and does not have a Humdinger.
Title: Re: Pitman Arm
Post by: Bishops Finger on May 04, 2009, 08:31:51 PM
Pete's got the hump coz hes not called Peter.......Oh and the gay bar is out of Peroni.... :lol:
Title: Re: Pitman Arm
Post by: Panic mechanic! on May 04, 2009, 08:38:41 PM
don't let him get the hump, he'll roll over , trying to get to the top again.
Title: Re: Pitman Arm
Post by: Panic mechanic! on May 04, 2009, 08:42:22 PM
hold on someone told me that,so again sorry if I was wrong, so its peroni then?
Title: Re: Pitman Arm
Post by: Bubba on May 04, 2009, 09:36:39 PM
i rekon full hydro steering in blighty has got to be aricutural
Title: Re: Pitman Arm
Post by: Dave69 on May 05, 2009, 04:47:32 PM
not legal for normal passenger vehicle, the only way it is legal is if it assists the conventional setup.


in other words the steering must be able to work when the assisting system fails. if that was full hydraulic the you would have no steering or arms or exceptional strength