In recent conversations about wheel wobble, somebody mentioned smoothing and polishing balls and/or sockets in the steering system. I recently replaced my pitman arm and the corresponding socket cap. The inside of the cap still showed machining marks, but the ball on the pitman arm was merely cast or forged, with a slightly rough surface. I greased the new parts heavily and tightened the joint to snug but not binding.
I am hesitant to smooth or polish the bearing surface on either part because I would hate to remove any surface hardening. What is the "right" thing to do?
Caution, I am no expert, but I would do what you did, grease it well and let it wear itself smooth. Just retighten and regrease it as needed.
What would others do?
Be sure the ball is one piece with the pitman arm. We had a near catastrophy about 2 years ago when the ball came off a pitman arm on a mountain road in Yosemite. Fortunately the brakes were good enough to stop before the car hit anything or plunged off a mountain! In that case the ball had been threaded onto the pitman arm and came unscrewed! It should be one piece or welded by a competent welder to make sure that will not happen.
Norm
I'm surprised that 2 part pitman arms exist. I would guess that it was a "repair" from when new parts were less available. I'm using a new arm from Chaffin's, the ball on the old arm had worn oval. The new arm was relatively cheap considering the importance of the part.
On another note, is there any way to find out the specific alloy used in some of these new parts? I have a friend that has extensive tempering and hardening gear (at least for small parts). He is a blacksmith that makes knives, swords and other cool stuff.
Leave the ball on your steering parts alone. They will polish themselves with use. I like to fit those parts, and check for looseness before I grease them. If there is too much play, I file the caps until I get the right feel, and then I grease them. If the ball on your pitman arm is too far out of round, then find another. The same thing on the tie rod. Early ones are difficult to find in good condition, so you are limited there, but you can still file the cap to get a snug fit. NOS tie rod balls are easy to find for the later T's.