3/4" Tapered hole - 5/8" bolt...

Lowrange2

Lowrange2

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Abbeville, SC
Sooooo, I figure I'll ask how ya'll would do this...

I'm switching over to all heim steering. Everything is peach keen except the pitman arm. I had previously tapered the pitman arm for a 1-ton TRE which happens to be much larger than a 5/8s bolt.

To save buying a new pitman arm how would you go about reducing the hole?

Is there somewhere I can buy a 3/4-5/8 reducer bushing without having to jump thru hoops and order 50 of them? Do you know of a better way to do this?

I plan on making the pitman arm double shear so I also debated about welding a washer to the top and bottom but I feel like eventually that will give out due to all the force at the pitman arm...

I guess my main question is where can I get a reducer, or who can I have make one for me fairly quickly. I wish I had the tools but I don't.

Oh what I would give for a full machine shop! Or just a Lathe at this point!!!
 
I am running a 3/4 heim but I'm running a 5/8 bolt with misalignment... I need the misalignment or I would just do that. :) I wish I could do that.
 
Is it a stock pitman arm? If so pay shiping and I'll save you the headache.
 
I run into this quite frequently. Our local Ace Hardware has bronze bushings with the dimensions you need. They will be a light press fit into the 3/4 hole (usually pull the arm and press it in with a vice) then the ID is 5/8. I have done several that way and I have never had any trouble. Just be sure to use a lock nut so it doesn't get lose and wear out the bushing.
 
Ghost said:
Is it a stock pitman arm? If so pay shiping and I'll save you the headache.
Click to expand...

I need it quicker than that. :/ but thanks.



I'll try Ace. I hope they have it! I might have to go to the next town over since our Ace is about the size of my closet.

What "department" would this bushing be in?
 
lol, Well, nah kiddin! I went to ace and the guy looked at me like I was crazy. "You wanna do WHAT?" I got irritated with him and give up. He said "we don't have any bushings!" Whatever dude, I'll go somewhere with a competent sales person.
 
I wouldnt wanna use a bronze bushing at all. Its softer then the metal/bolt around it. Its just gunna oval/stretch out the center hole. You're better off putting in a reducer outta regular mild steel or a chromoly. Ive seen a couple people who will drill out a high steer arm and press in a slightly oversize bushing sleeve of chromo, it'll resist wearing out much better. Ballistic has some stepdown/reducer sleeves that you could probably get to work. Any machine shop should be able to wip some up too.

EDIT: http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Step-Down-Spacer-34-to-58-with-116-shoulder_p_1331.html
 
Last edited:
foxwar71 said:
I wouldnt wanna use a bronze bushing at all. Its softer then the metal/bolt around it. Its just gunna oval/stretch out the center hole. You're better off putting in a reducer outta regular mild steel or a chromoly. Ive seen a couple people who will drill out a high steer arm and press in a slightly oversize bushing sleeve of chromo, it'll resist wearing out much better. Ballistic has some stepdown/reducer sleeves that you could probably get to work. Any machine shop should be able to wip some up too.

EDIT: http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Step-Down-Spacer-34-to-58-with-116-shoulder_p_1331.html
Click to expand...

Ive used these too, but honestly, I usually don't have time to wait months on Ballistic to ship something too me (yes, it usually takes them months). The bronze would be a bad idea if the bolt was turning on it, like you said it would wear out. But, if the bolt is tight, nothing can move and it will be just fine. If you stop and think about it, there really isn't any pressure on it once it's tight because the misalignment spacer sits flush against the arm and prevents it from twisting side to side. Now... if the bolt gets loose, its bad news for the bushing, but the mild steel inserts from Ballistic wont fair well either. I have used the bronze many times with no issues, been running one on my truck for 2 years and its still as good as it was when I put it in. However, it you have the time to wait, the Stepdowns from BF are a better choice. Its just that sometimes I don't have the time to wait on them, and the price of the bushing compared to the stepdowns makes a difference too.
 
Another suggestion is your local tractor shop or coop or tractor supply. They sell steel bushings used by farmers for the different size links used on three point hitch set ups. You may have to cut the length. You can weld them in too if you want Just a thought I agree with Tyler on Ballistic; good stuff but normally not the most prompt shipping
 
I'll be on the phone cussin if they don't ship by Monday. There's no excuse for it to take any longer... I talked to the engineer at work and he turned 1 bushing out for me on the lathe. So, I'll use that to mock things up. I need this thing going in the next 2 weeks. If it wasn't for this little issue I'd already have it going.
 
Personally I have never had a problem with BF. Everything has shipped on time and within a reasonable amount of time.
 
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