<!doctype html public "-//W3C//DTD W3 HTML//EN"> <html><head><style type="text/css"></style><title>pitman retrofit</title></head><body> <blockquote type="cite" cite><font face="Arial" color="#000000">I don't understand why you are essentially replacing what was there with the same thing?   You will continue to have the rubbing friction at both ends of the pitman...the dowel with punching at either end eliminates the friction..</font></blockquote> <div><br></div> <div>How can a 1/4" rod with curved polished ends induce more friction than a broad cloth</div> <div>surface? With the OEM pitman, the majority of the friction was caused by the sliding motion</div> <div>on the tray and trap lever and being bound vertically by the bushing cloth. With the thinner pitman replacement, the pitman travels towards the front of the keybed hole during the pedal engagement. Due to the nature of this forwards motion, the friction is lower on both</div> <div>wooden and metal pitman rods and I would dare say that the difference is negligible.</div> <div><br> Regards,<br> <br> Jon Page</div> </body> </html>