1959 pitman arm recall

[gene harl]

Hi guys ... can someone  tell me if pitman arm #5672806 is a good one or bad??? that is what is on my 59... I have found other # good and bad but not this one...
thanks ,,,  Gene Harl....      CLC22406

[76eldo]

You have to look at the casting number.

The 1035 is the bad one, replacement one is 1038.

See this thread:
http://forums.cadillaclasalleclub.org/index.php?topic=106632.msg139587#msg139587

Brian

[gene harl]

Brian,, mine only has #5672806  cast on it,,, is it good or bad???
Gene..

[59-in-pieces]

Gene,
I just, a few days ago, posted information about the recall for a guy who was debating the redo of his front suspension.
Take a look at the attachments, and hope they help.
Have fun,
Steve B.

[76eldo]

Look on the opposite side for the casting number.

Brian

[David Greenburg]

The arms, good or bad, have the same part#.  It's the casting number that is determinative.  Since my article came out, Rare Parts has started making a replacement, so finding a #1038 is not your only option. I have tons of documentation on this if anyone wants more information. BTW, I continue to hear from people who have seen or experienced a broken arm.

[59-in-pieces]

David,
I apologize for not siting the fact that it was you who authored the article I posted.
It is very clear in the article how to identify a good from a bad arm, all one needs do is - JUST READ - COMPARE.
If a mystery remains - JUST REPLACE IT - why take a chance of a failure.
Have fun,
Steve B.

[David Greenburg]

Steve:

No problem; not trying to draw attention to myself, but do feel an obligation to keep up awareness of the issue, particularly when I took my car in for the recall, and I later learned that the replacement was another #1035. There is also a tendency in certain circles to downplay the issue, and/or assume that if one was bad, it would have broken by now.  Based on everything I know and continue to hear about, it is a very real concern. I'd hate to hear about a member being injured or a car being damaged due to a pitman arm failure. So I keep spreading the word and sharing info with anyone who wants it. When writing the article, I submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to NHTSA and basically got a copy of their file. So if you'd like a copy of the recall letter GM sent to owners, or the directive they sent to dealers, etc. just let me know.

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

I was fortunate enough to have had a conversation with Mr. Robert Templin, who at the time of this CF was Chief Engineer, CMD.  Any (of the very few) Pittman arms that broke did so when the cars were at a standstill and the wheels were being turned. This would be the time of maximum stress at that point in the steering. The short version of this conversation was that due to Cadillac's mandated and self imposed search and replace over the next 10 years, including documentation of cars taken off the road (junked) there were no registered  applicable vehicles left to change.  It is possible that some of the junked cars were used for parts and some of the tagged Pittmans entered the parts market, but that would be a minuscule number.
Greg Surfas

[59-in-pieces]

David,
I have a copy of the Dealer Product Campaign Bulletin, and some other literature, but I do not have a copy of the direct recall solicitation to the owners letter.
I would like a copy if you would - slynnbutch@sbcglobal.net.
Regards, have fun,
Steve B.

[David Greenburg]

Steve - I will be happy to oblige this evening.