Steering Arm Conversion

[Bruce A. Frank]

Over 30 year ago when I came by my first '56 Travelall I converted it to Saginaw steering. Those familiar with the '56 steering arm know it curves rather like a comma. The Saginaw box that I bought at a salvage yard came from a Suburban. To make the connection between the Saginaw box and the axle required a different style steering arm.

I went to the IHC dealer in SLC and asked if there was another arm that fit the steering knuckle. He laid two styles on the counter. One was the OEM type and the other looked like this.


Drawing is as I remember the arm, not a dimensioned rendering. Created with MS Paint, not Auto-Cad.

This was an arm that I eventually cut and welded to fit the configuration I needed. I am on the path to do this again. I do not know the model from which this steering arm came. It fit the steering knuckle with the rectangular bolt pattern perfectly. Can anyone give me an idea as to the vehicle this arm fit? I assume it is an earlier IHC (but later than the '56) as the later arms seemed to be either a trapezoid bolt pattern or a three bolt pattern as IHC went to the open knuckle.

Oh, for those who might question advisability of welding a forged steel steering arm, I drove it for nearly 200,000 miles as I had cut it apart and welded it back together. I am a professional welder (I also welded a gear in the NP201 transfer case that I drove for that same number of miles) and did a lot of specialty welding in those days. If you don't know the preheat procedure, filler rod selection, and cooling procedure, don't attempt it. A gear failure could be bad, but not nearly as bad as fracturing a steering arm on the interstate.

[ruderunner]

While I can't answer your question directly I can offer this: GM Ford Dodge all used closed knuckle Dana 44 axles in the 60's, a walk through a salvage yard may have an arm thats close to what you need. Also an adjustable drag link may help avoid looking for this steering arm anyway. (assuming this is the one connected to the drag link)

[Bruce A. Frank]

Thought I'd do a little followup. After looking hard, I have decided that to do the crossover steering, the arm I was seeking is not necessary. I am now working on getting the drag link and the tie rod all above the springs.

Parts to do this are commonly available. . .for all other axles except for the particular flavor installed on S120s. I am working out the detail on fabricating the parts.

[VooDoo]

If it helps my original 68 Travelall 4x4 1100C closed knuckle front axle had that type of 4-bolt mount. The PO had cut it and welded a 2" slab of 1/2" thick steel between the two pieces to make a homemade lifted steering arm. I think they are common as mentioned above on older closed knuckle axles. I did note that both the R&L knuckles had the 4-bolts on a "flat-top" that should be easily converted.

Many here have old closed knuckle axles just sitting around rusting. I recently pulled the IH hubs and set my old one out for the recyclers because no one wanted it. Maybe someone will offer you their arm before scraping theirs? Two arms and your done! Almost...

Post up some pictures of your final steering setup. I'm curious on how it will come out. Thought of using those "flat-tops" for a high steer setup myself way back.

Good luck!

[Bruce A. Frank]

Thanks. that is somewhat useful. I am going to take two caps that I have and fab arms that I will weld in place. Too much happening right now to get right on it. Son's graduating in Mechanical Engineering next week. Says he is coming home to relax a week of so before he has to start his job. Tells me he will help with the Travelall 'cause now he's an engineer ! Actually looking forward to it!



This is roughly what I'll have to fabricate. I have found the caps are steel, so I won't need to braze them(first info was that the steering knuckle bearing caps were cast iron)

[VooDoo]

They look a lot like the D60 ones:

http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/...es_p_1246.html

Congrads to your son!