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73-76 Torino / Ranchero Pitman no longer available |
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Pat 
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Joined: 31-August-2024 Location: Phoenix Status: Offline Points: 7 |
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 Topic: 73-76 Torino / Ranchero Pitman no longer availablePosted: 31-August-2024 at 5:31AM |
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Hi Torino friends, I have an annoying problem here that needs to be solved. It will affect many of us sooner or later. The Pitman arms for the 1973 Torinos/Rancheros with power steering are no longer available anywhere. I am also not aware of any way to get them working again with a reconditioning kit or a new build. Without the Pitman arm, the vehicles will no longer be able to get on the road in the future. So the question now is how to solve the problem. Whether the Ford steering gear can be replaced with another steering gear, for example, or a Saginaw (Lares 806) in order to then use a different Pitman arm than the actual K8217 (Rareparts 20135). Can anyone say anything about this? Which alternative steering gear with a still available Pitman arm can be used, or does the replacement with a Saginaw work? What do you have to bear in mind when converting and which Pitman arm can you then use? Best wishes and thanks for your information and opinions Pat
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Eliteman76
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Joined: 20-March-2006 Location: Nebraska, USA Status: Offline Points: 5450 |
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Posted: 31-August-2024 at 8:54AM |
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Rare parts can rebuild the 72-76 pitman arms. The issue is the forgings for the 72-76 pitman arms have not been made for decades. Rare parts bought up the last of the stock Moog and TRW had when they were still making just the forgings.
On the size of the taper and length, you can get ball joint reamers to match the taper, but the difference is in the pitman and idler arm lengths. Ultimately, you could likely replace the pitman arm and idler arm for the 77-79 cars, and keep the center link, inner and outer tie rods and have a wheel alighment (assuming the tie rods are the same)
Edited by Eliteman76 - 31-August-2024 at 5:07PM |
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 Andrew:GTS.ORG admin, '72 Q code 5 speed RestomodPondering: #99Problems |
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72FordGTS
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GTS.org Admin Joined: 06-September-2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 6780 |
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Posted: 01-September-2024 at 10:00AM |
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The 1972-76 pitman arms are out of production and it seems other than the odd NOS part, they are no longer available. We discussed this is some detail in this thread: The only alternative, short of rebuilding a good core, would be to try a 1977-79 pitman arm. I am not sure why there are minor differences and don't know how these differences would effect the car. Here is some info Inkara dug up:
As for the Saginaw swap, it is relatively straight forward. Some of these cars came with Saginaw steering boxes from the factory. However, they use the same pitman arm as the Ford boxes. I swapped a Saginaw box in my car. It required some minor mods to the coupler and a new PS hose, which is available OTC from any parts store.
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Vince
1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
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Pat
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Joined: 31-August-2024 Location: Phoenix Status: Offline Points: 7 |
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Posted: 01-September-2024 at 8:52PM |
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Thanks for your help. Unfortunately, Rare Parts requires the old Pitman to be sent. That's strange, because it's not possible to replace the old ball joint, which is what all the experts tell me. So what's the deal like here and I don't feel good about sending my super important part without knowing what will happen to it and whether it might get lost in transit.
The Pitman for the 1977-1979 cars (K8256) is unfortunately no longer available either. I haven't found a source. .. So exchanging it on Saginaw doesn't seem to be a solution either, because I need the same Pitman arm here too, is that right?
When I look at available steering gears (e.g. Lares), they have different diameters on the drive shaft (Ford 29, Saginaw 32mm), apart from the input shaft. So I thought that a different Pitman arm would have to be used there too.
I'm really a bit desperate now.
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Rockatansky
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Joined: 30-July-2010 Location: On The Road Status: Offline Points: 6398 |
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Posted: 02-September-2024 at 12:43PM |
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the ball socket is not user serviceable but can be replaced by a qualified rebuilder with the correct parts and equipment. send it in
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72 GT Ute
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Eliteman76
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Joined: 20-March-2006 Location: Nebraska, USA Status: Offline Points: 5450 |
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Posted: 16-September-2024 at 2:09PM |
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Rare Parts has been rebuilding them for the Mustang restoration market for nearly 30? Years according to the phone discussion I had with Glenn.
I just found a pitman arm I saved, and I am actually going to send mind off so I have a spare. FYI this was from an email from Rare Parts…reach out to them and call them. I’ve been pleased with dealing with them.
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Andrew:GTS.ORG admin, '72 Q code 5 speed Restomod Pondering: #99Problems |
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Inkara1 wrote:
