This answers Bill Stevson's question about bellcranks in the General Discussion category. I'll put it here, in its proper place, as he suggested.

A bellcrank is a device that translates linear motion in one direction, to linear motion in another.

Draw the letter "L", and imagine a pin stuck in the apex of the "L". Then imagine how the "L" would move if it swiveled around the pin. Then imagine that "L" all grown up and forged out of steel in your steering system, and consider how much stress is placed on that point where it swivels.

P-30 steering has at least two such bellcranks, and the swivel points are ordinary bushings, probably bronze. They wear quickly, and the resulting looseness generates sloppy steering that necessitates a lot of steering wheel movement to keep things going straight.. The Henderson bellcranks use taper roller bearings which handle the side thrust better, with little play. They ain't cheap, but they generate a quantum improvement in steering.

Thanks olroy, Right now I'm waiting on a little warmer weather for my mechanic to get new lower ball joints and idler arm support installed. Mine is a 1973 P-30, does it have bellcranks? Do you know of a web site where I can go to see what we are talking about?

Bill Stevson

Bill I have a '72 and it does not have bell cranks. The salesman at CW told me that I have them, so I e-mailed a picture of my front end and he agreed with me. I'm not sure when the P-30's started using them.

Thanks Dennis, that is kind of what I thought. According to my engine numbers it was actually manufactured in '72, titled in '73. I suppose it is the same with the chassis. Have you done anything special with yours to help handling? I have just had the Barth a short time and the longest distance I have driven has been one 100-mile round trip. It actually passed the state inspection but when I took it in for a front end alignment they recommended replacing the ball joints and idler arm support first. I'm also wondering about the steering box. There seems to be a little play there too. The mechanic at the alignment place said he usually recommends the owner to adjust his own steering box play because how tight it should be is rather subjective. Does that sound like good advice?