Steering: Avanti pitman arm

[Starlight]

Do the late Lark types, Hawks, etc use the same PITMAN arm as the Avanti NON power steering does.....We are using an Avanti steering box in a 59 Lark and the pitman arm from, I think, a 62 Lark does not fit the Avanti box....The serrations are wrong......I am thinking that the later pitman arms will work, but, not real sure.....Any help/advice would be appreciated

[PackardV8]

The one '64 Daytona I parted out did not use the same Pitman arm as the Avanti.

jack vines

[Mike Van Veghten]

If I'm not mistaken, the Avanti uses the Saginaw box, while the 59/60 Lark..I do know uses the Ross box.

Both ends are different. The Saginaw pitman arm has a larger hole (more splines), while the shaft is smaller in diameter and solid, requiring a different cover, steering wheel and horn setup.

The cover or mast assembly must be changed, because of both the shaft diameter difference and the signal mechanism/wheel design.

I reciently did this swap on my Conestoga. Removed the Ross and installed the Saginaw. I tried all I could to use the original mast...no luck. The bearing swap is somewhat easy, the signal mechinsim/horn/steering wheel is not doable. A lot of wasted time.

Mike

[Starlight]

Jack and Mike.....Thanks for the information, I guess I will have to go to SI for a pitman arm for the Avanti box......Bummer for sure......I am pretty sure that what is in the car right now came out of a 62 Daytona 4 speed car, which should be Saginaw, and the pitman arm just won't work......anyway, again, thanks guys for your input.....

[64studeavanti]

Jack and Mike.....Thanks for the information, I guess I will have to go to SI for a pitman arm for the Avanti box......Bummer for sure......I am pretty sure that what is in the car right now came out of a 62 Daytona 4 speed car, which should be Saginaw, and the pitman arm just won't work......anyway, again, thanks guys for your input.....

The Avanti uses a Ross box. You may want to rethink this as the parts are generally NLA.

[Starlight]

The Avanti uses a Ross box. You may want to rethink this as the parts are generally NLA

Now, that is news, I would not have thought it.......Guess I need to take a look at the box and search for a name on it.....So, what was the last Ross box used in Studebakers, maybe, 1960 .....I wonder if one of those would fit.....Thanks for the information

[bezhawk]

I have used them (Lark Saginaw) pittman arms on an Avanti Ross box. You have to add several new splines with a jewelers file to make it work. But it's not too hard. The Lark type have several spots that are blank on the splines, kind of like a keyed area.

[64Avanti]

Ross boxes used on Hawks through 1964. Used on Studebaker Avanti and Avanti II for many years.

[Starlight]

Thanks to all that responded to my question, I got an education on this subject for sure, I did find a NOS non power steering pitman arm and purchased it.....It now resides on the Avanti box in a 59 2 door post Studebaker......Keep on Studebakering