Ok, I will keep this short and informative. I have a 1961 buick special. Problem I have is not so much in what I need to do as it is where I can find this part. The part I'm looking for came off the pitman arm and detached (broke) from the pitman arm that goes into the center link or "intermediate rod". It almost looks like a ball joint but its not. I'm not familiar with this part. I believe it can go by the names signaw stud, socket bearing or bearing stud? I have looked everywhere and cannot find this part anywhere. When I bought the car the socket bearing was welded to the pitman arm. Looked like a repair that was done to make it functional. Well now it's not. :-(. So basically my main question is; where the heck can I find a socket bearing or signaw stud? Or can I buy a new pitman Arm with the stud already attached? I can't find a dealer or place anywhere online or locally that carries this. Most places look at me like I'm speaking Spanish. I can't believe this part is so hard to find. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Or if anyone knows of some part they have laying around that they are willing to sell that would be great too. Thanks!
Try Kanter Autoparts, go to your local bookshop and find a copy of the latest "Hemmings" or look them up online, and if nothing else, head to or call a wrecker that specializes in older cars, they might have a copy of a "Hollander Interchange" and will be able to tell you what else used that part, or what else might fit. Then see if they have the full steering rods and draglinks. Best source of info for a newbie is the "Hemmings" though, it's got listings of everyone else you need, and no, I don't work for them...:grin:
Hang in there...age of car is causing your grief. As for part...called "Heim" joint...but welding steering parts is a no-no...so you should be looking for complete Joint-to-joint arm...internet is your friend...
Sorry for confusion. But yes signaw! In fact, in my buick special manual that's what the part is called. But thanks for the info Guys. I will look into it. Doesn't help that no junk yards around here have much for 61-63 buick specials
Yes, Saginaw is one of the major manufacturers Buick used on front ends. The other is Bendix. I know for the later cars it is crucial to know who made the front end components, either Saginaw or Bendix, because while similar they are not interchangeable. It used to depend on where the car was assembled, and whether or not it was power steering or not. Most Canadian assembled cars used Saginaw and American ones used Bendix; then again, without my books here, I could have that the other way round... I'm not sure whether the 61 model year was affected by this, but by the mid to late 60s it definitely was a problem. Rule of thumb; shoot pictures if you can't physically bring the part into parts stores; it's also nice to have a picture of the thing you're looking for when you search for things online too.
Try oldbuickparts.com. I found them when I was looking for part for my 1940 coupe. They might have what you need.
