Guest Mochet Posted August 14, 2012 Share Posted August 14, 2012 (1913 Metz) Steering gear has a lot of slop; about 20-degrees of steering wheel turn before wheels move. The problem is the connection between the quadrant gear and the pitman arm. The quadrant gear has a tapered & keyed shaft onto which the pitman arm fits. They are a loose fit even fully tightened. Any suggestions as to how to fix this loose connection? A little more metal on either piece would tighten the fit, but not sure how to accomplish that!Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickelroadster Posted August 14, 2012 Share Posted August 14, 2012 I would get a new key and carefully file it to fit. If there is still to much slop, make a shim to fit around the taper out of a paint or thinner can. I have never done this on a pitman arm but have done it many times on tapered axles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mochet Posted August 14, 2012 Share Posted August 14, 2012 I have some brass shim material, so I'll give it a try. Thanks.Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted August 15, 2012 Share Posted August 15, 2012 How tight does the pitman arm fit against the steering box? You can hand fit the taper by using blueing, and filing the shaft down where it touches. Continue until you have good contact all around. You may need to ream the pitman arm with a tapered reamer if it is worn.This will move the pitman arm closer to the box which is why you need to have some clearance when you start. If this is not practical you may need to make a new shaft or build up the old one with weld or braze and remachine it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mochet Posted August 15, 2012 Share Posted August 15, 2012 (edited) The pitman arm tightens right up against the chassis rail, so I don't think there is enough room for filing or reaming. I've always been curious about thermal spray, but that probably costs big money...Phil Edited August 15, 2012 by Mochet (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhigdog Posted August 15, 2012 Share Posted August 15, 2012 If the fit isn't too loose you can remove a bit of metal off the back side of the arm's boss allowing it to fit deeper into the taper............Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFranklin Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Model T suppliers offer a steel tapered shim for rear axles that might fit or be cut down to fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickelroadster Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 I would advise against using brass shim as it will probably wear out pretty quickly. previous poster has a good suggestion but it is really easy to cut a piece of shim from a 1 gallon or 1 quart can. Either way will work. I would go to the hardware store and pick up a new key and carefully file it to a snug fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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