32-34 Tie Rod End Adjustment
 

I put NOS 32-34 ends on my tie rod and drag link on my 32 pickup. The new owner called this morning asking me about adjustment. I've forgot what is the adjustment procedure when installing the ends on the studs?

Re: 32-34 Tie Rod End Adjustment
 

With the wheels off the ground, unloosen the nuts on the bolts (first remove the cotter pins if present on the nut and in the shank of the bolt) and in theory the rod can be rotated forward or back by hand to change the toe-in. Unless you are Superman, the use of a pipe wrench or vise-grip pliers may be necessary. A piece of 1/8" rubber sheeting in the jaws of the wrench/pliers will protect the rod from being gouged.

Re: 32-34 Tie Rod End Adjustment
 

If you are talking about the screw in ends, bottom them out, and then back off one turn

Re: 32-34 Tie Rod End Adjustment
 

Thanks David but I'm talking about the screw in ends.

Re: 32-34 Tie Rod End Adjustment
 

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...5-jpg.3267338/

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...1-jpg.3267339/

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...4-jpg.3267337/

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...4-jpg.3593832/

Re: 32-34 Tie Rod End Adjustment
 

I never bottom out the ends, I keep tightening them while manually rotating the tie-rod on the ball to see how tight they are getting.

I usually tighten them until I can barely rotate the tie-rod by hand (again, on the ball, not the center shaft). I've always done it this way, seems to work out just fine. Also, I have plenty of grease on all the parts (during assembly) before I do the above.

Also, one should acquire a special tool that goes into the end-slot that you can put a wrench on - otherwise you'll not be able to get a screwdriver in there (or use it once things are tight). Usually, one has to turn the wheels to the extents (either direction), to get the tool into place.

And don't forget to put in the cotter-keys . . . is something that is easy to forget about. ;)

Re: 32-34 Tie Rod End Adjustment
 

Good counsel!

Re: 32-34 Tie Rod End Adjustment
 

Thankyou Sir . . . every once in awhile I buy a clue! LOL :D

Re: 32-34 Tie Rod End Adjustment
 

Modern tie rods balls have some stiffness to them when you move them from, side to side. I bet it would be difficult to spin the ball by hand. Used ones just flop around. Bored&Strokeds' procedure sounds good to me. Snug without locking them up. There are sockets that fit the slots in those tie rods ends and drag links. It speeds up the process, but they are not necessary. The phone company garage I was at opened in 1950, there was still some of those old tools laying around 60-years later They are not there anymore, will call them retirement gifts, besides there was nothing there they fit anymore. You can put some never seize on the tapered tie rod ends and the tie rod threads. It will make them come apart easier next time. Definitely use some on the spring perches. If you don't want your cotter pins rusting on your restorations, you can buy them in stainless, that way they will look new forever.

Here is a photo of tie rod adjusting tools for setting toe-in and Proto still makes drag link adjusting sockets in either a 3/4" wide tip or 15/16".

Re: 32-34 Tie Rod End Adjustment
 

I don't think there is enough room on a '34 to accommodate this PROTO Tool on the tie rod end....

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...7&d=1688091222

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...6&d=1688090439

Re: 32-34 Tie Rod End Adjustment
 

I went out to the garage, and you are correct, no way in hell that is fitting between the tie rod end and the brake backing plate. This was on my dads' 32 roadster with hydraulic brakes, a Mordrop dropped axle, later spindles... The truth is I have only done a couple Early Ford tie rods and I rebuilt the ends while they were off the car. The tool does fit the drag link, maybe that's why they call it a drag link socket and not a tie rod link socket. I learned something today. That "drag-link" socket is an old Snap-on. I think what I will do from now on is get a junk tie rod and cut the right and lefthand threaded ends off. The clamp them in a vise, thread the ends on and adjust the ball so they have a little resistance. Then install them on the tie rod with never seize so I can easily turn the rod to set the toe-in and then clamp the ends down. That way nothing gets scratched.

Re: 32-34 Tie Rod End Adjustment
 

On my '34, I resorted to using a nickel grasped in the jaws of a Vice-Grip pliers as my "special tool"...

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...5&d=1688159488

Re: 32-34 Tie Rod End Adjustment
 

I'm cheap, a flat washer works for me..

Re: 32-34 Tie Rod End Adjustment
 

It took me 10min to make this tool out of a bit of 1 inch scrap flat bar 30 years ago.
Still works fine.Attachment 519768

Attachment 519769

Attachment 519770

Re: 32-34 Tie Rod End Adjustment
 

Nice!

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...9&d=1688271248

Re: 32-34 Tie Rod End Adjustment
 

I like the one that uses a wrench on it - just can't find out where to buy one from.

Would be easy to take a 3/4"nut and fabricate/weld on a piece of "slot" material to it. This gives you enough room to fit it between the tie-rod end and the backing plate.

Re: 32-34 Tie Rod End Adjustment
 

Bratton's catalog shows the tool, part # 4590 @ $5.25. I use one of these on my Model A's and early V8's.

Re: 32-34 Tie Rod End Adjustment
 

Third gen automotive also offers that tool used with a socket wrench.

Re: 32-34 Tie Rod End Adjustment
 

Isn't that tool useless for the tie rod ends, won't fit between the tie rod end and the 12 inch brakes?

Re: 32-34 Tie Rod End Adjustment
 

It's hardly useless. It's use is limited, however, to when the brake backing plates are removed or absent, as with building up a restored axle assembly.