The Ford Barn

spdway1 · 08-28-2023, 05:07 PM

How tight should the passenger side tie rod end be with the tie rod installed?
My ball ends are good and I installed the tie rod rebuild kit. Thanks in advance

nkaminar · 08-28-2023, 05:35 PM

I screw the big screw in until i can put a cotter pin in. If, as you say, all parts are good, that should work.

spdway1 · 08-28-2023, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkaminar

I screw the big screw in until i can put a cotter pin in. If, as you say, all parts are good, that should work.

I have done this and there is still a small amount of play. I am trying to narrow down the death wobble.

Rob Doe · 08-28-2023, 06:44 PM

I'd start with setting the toe in???

Bruce of MN · 08-28-2023, 06:45 PM

I got rid of my car’s wobble by replacing and reaming the kingpin bushings on one side. With the wheel off the ground, I could shake it. A good toe in alignment after was needed.

Wobbles have many sources.

bobbader · 08-28-2023, 06:50 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I'm curious as to why you're asking only about the passenger side? Is this where the wobble is being generated? If so, how do you know that?

spdway1 · 08-28-2023, 08:02 PM

The alignment is near perfect.

spdway1 · 08-28-2023, 08:08 PM

Ok guys, let's please stick to the original question to keep it simple! When I move the wheel when jacked up side to side, there is a small amount of play in the tie rod end and tie rod. How tight does this need to be? Thank you.

nkaminar · 08-28-2023, 08:20 PM

There should not be any looseness. The spring is pretty stiff so I would run the screw in until there is no looseness and then a 1 to 1 1/2 turns more. Insert the cotter pin. These instructions from Les Andrews book. If you have to turn the screw in a long way to take up any slack, check to see that you have not left out any of the brass pads and that the spring is the correct one.

bobbader · 08-28-2023, 08:37 PM

Do as nkaminar suggests. Also check to make sure the passenger side steering arm is very tight in the spindle.

Bill G · 08-28-2023, 09:22 PM

After you get the tie rod tight, you will probably need to re-check the toe-in, as this will affect it.

old31 · 08-29-2023, 02:30 AM

NK is correct about the cotter pin, and Bill is correct about toein.

Every time that you turn the tie rod, it will screw up the toein.

dave in australia · 08-29-2023, 03:34 AM

I usually screw the plug in until it is flush with end of the tie rod. Check your toe in after tightening the ball end plugs.

DJ S · 08-29-2023, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdway1

Ok guys, let's please stick to the original question to keep it simple! When I move the wheel when jacked up side to side, there is a small amount of play in the tie rod end and tie rod. How tight does this need to be? Thank you.

Keep screwing in the plug until there is no play. Then continue screwing the plug in until you have compressed with tie-rod spring by 25%.

As stated by others, the toe-in will need to be re-adjusted once you complete this task.

Patrick L. · 08-29-2023, 07:05 AM

The spring should be compressed 25%

Bob Bidonde · 08-29-2023, 07:34 AM

This slide may help you:

WHN · 08-29-2023, 08:35 AM

Paul Shinn video on You Tube, Model A Ford drag links. 10 minute video. Will answer your questions.

Go to You Tube model a ford drag link.

Enjoy.

Bigsnapper43 · 08-29-2023, 11:34 AM

An old timmer said 25 foot pounds is what he used for many years.

spdway1 · 09-03-2023, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WHN

Paul Shinn video on You Tube, Model A Ford drag links. 10 minute video. Will answer your questions.

Go to You Tube model a ford drag link.

Enjoy.

Not any I have watched...he just does it or edits over it without any mention. Have the link and time in the movie to share in case I missed something!

CT Jack · 09-03-2023, 09:25 AM

General rule of thumb that I use is "tighten all the way in then loosen 1 to 2 turns". This assumes the ball is not badly worn and all internal parts are clean and in good condition.
Install cotter pin, grease, and check tow in.

08-28-2023, 05:07 PM	#1
spdway1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Chicopee, MA Posts: 1,402	How tight should it be? How tight should the passenger side tie rod end be with the tie rod installed? My ball ends are good and I installed the tie rod rebuild kit. Thanks in advance

08-28-2023, 05:35 PM	#2
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,900	Re: How tight should it be? I screw the big screw in until i can put a cotter pin in. If, as you say, all parts are good, that should work. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

08-28-2023, 06:44 PM	#4
Rob Doe Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 494	Re: How tight should it be? I'd start with setting the toe in??? __________________ "It ain't what you know for certain that gets ya in trouble. It's what ya know for certain that just ain't so!"

08-28-2023, 06:45 PM	#5
Bruce of MN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: VA Posts: 1,411	Re: How tight should it be? I got rid of my car’s wobble by replacing and reaming the kingpin bushings on one side. With the wheel off the ground, I could shake it. A good toe in alignment after was needed. Wobbles have many sources.

08-28-2023, 06:50 PM	#6
bobbader Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Huntington, NY Posts: 271	Re: How tight should it be? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I'm curious as to why you're asking only about the passenger side? Is this where the wobble is being generated? If so, how do you know that?

08-28-2023, 08:02 PM	#7
spdway1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Chicopee, MA Posts: 1,402	Re: How tight should it be? The alignment is near perfect.

08-28-2023, 08:08 PM	#8
spdway1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Chicopee, MA Posts: 1,402	Re: How tight should it be? Ok guys, let's please stick to the original question to keep it simple! When I move the wheel when jacked up side to side, there is a small amount of play in the tie rod end and tie rod. How tight does this need to be? Thank you.

08-28-2023, 08:20 PM	#9
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,900	Re: How tight should it be? There should not be any looseness. The spring is pretty stiff so I would run the screw in until there is no looseness and then a 1 to 1 1/2 turns more. Insert the cotter pin. These instructions from Les Andrews book. If you have to turn the screw in a long way to take up any slack, check to see that you have not left out any of the brass pads and that the spring is the correct one. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

08-28-2023, 08:37 PM	#10
bobbader Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Huntington, NY Posts: 271	Re: How tight should it be? Do as nkaminar suggests. Also check to make sure the passenger side steering arm is very tight in the spindle.

08-28-2023, 09:22 PM	#11
Bill G Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Walla Walla, WA Posts: 1,045	Re: How tight should it be? After you get the tie rod tight, you will probably need to re-check the toe-in, as this will affect it.

08-29-2023, 02:30 AM	#12
old31 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 2,103	Re: How tight should it be? NK is correct about the cotter pin, and Bill is correct about toein. Every time that you turn the tie rod, it will screw up the toein.

08-29-2023, 03:34 AM	#13
dave in australia Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,177	Re: How tight should it be? I usually screw the plug in until it is flush with end of the tie rod. Check your toe in after tightening the ball end plugs.

08-29-2023, 07:05 AM	#15
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: How tight should it be? The spring should be compressed 25%

08-29-2023, 08:35 AM	#17
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 1,824	Re: How tight should it be? Paul Shinn video on You Tube, Model A Ford drag links. 10 minute video. Will answer your questions. Go to You Tube model a ford drag link. Enjoy.

08-29-2023, 11:34 AM	#18
Bigsnapper43 Member Join Date: Feb 2023 Posts: 84	Re: How tight should it be? An old timmer said 25 foot pounds is what he used for many years.

09-03-2023, 09:25 AM	#20
CT Jack Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hebron, CT Posts: 432	Re: How tight should it be? General rule of thumb that I use is "tighten all the way in then loosen 1 to 2 turns". This assumes the ball is not badly worn and all internal parts are clean and in good condition. Install cotter pin, grease, and check tow in.