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Old 05-11-2017, 10:44 AM   #1
shark 81
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Default tie rod rubbing

[ATTACH]20170511_105903.jpg tie rod.jpg

20170511_105926.jpg tie rod.jpg[/ATTACH]


what has caused this ? the tie rod seams to be slightly bent and is rubbing the drag link. Is this fatal for the tie rod ? or just straiten it.
drives fine as is everything seams ok and nothing loose.
just rubs a bit.
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Old 05-11-2017, 10:47 AM   #2
SeaSlugs
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Default Re: tie rod rubbing

thats got 2 bends in it - im sure it could be straightened but how did it happen?

drag link could be too low from a steering arm being bent down or possibly bent frame, could also be weak/broken front spring worn shackles etc...
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Old 05-11-2017, 10:53 AM   #3
Y-Blockhead
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Default Re: tie rod rubbing

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Originally Posted by shark 81 View Post
[ATTACH]Attachment 315503

Attachment 315504[/ATTACH]


what has caused this ? the tie rod seams to be slightly bent and is rubbing the drag link. Is this fatal for the tie rod ? or just straiten it.
drives fine as is everything seams ok and nothing loose.
just rubs a bit.
You could try straightening it but tie rods are relatively cheap~ $15 @ Snyder's.

Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 05-11-2017 at 08:25 PM.
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Old 05-11-2017, 10:57 AM   #4
Patrick L.
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Default Re: tie rod rubbing

If any changes are made to the tie-rod, toe-in should be checked.
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Old 05-11-2017, 11:29 AM   #5
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Default Re: tie rod rubbing

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Originally Posted by Patrick L. View Post
If any changes are made to the tie-rod, toe-in should be checked.
We can be reasonably sure his toe-in is off with a bent tie rod, unless the toe-in was set with the tie rod already bent??
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Old 05-11-2017, 12:16 PM   #6
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Default Re: tie rod rubbing

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My tie rod had been rubbing at some point. The gap between the drag link and tie rod was very close. Replacing the front spring helped but what really made a difference was replacing the drivers side steering arm.....along with a new tie rod....
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Old 05-11-2017, 12:34 PM   #7
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Default Re: tie rod rubbing

Something is bent.
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Old 05-11-2017, 01:05 PM   #8
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Default Re: tie rod rubbing

Get a new one from Snyder's or other parts house.
The one I bought from Snyder's was solid not flexible hollow like the original.
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Old 05-11-2017, 01:09 PM   #9
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Default Re: tie rod rubbing

your front spring is sagged. Replace the spring- problem solved

Steve @ bert's
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Old 05-11-2017, 08:05 PM   #10
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Default Re: tie rod rubbing

I think there is more to the issue then a saggy spring.
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Old 05-11-2017, 08:08 PM   #11
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Default Re: tie rod rubbing

The tie rod can rub on the drag link if the front spring is too soft...that's where mine was rubbing
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Old 05-11-2017, 08:09 PM   #12
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Default Re: tie rod rubbing

LOL you posted at the same time I was correcting my post.
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Old 05-11-2017, 08:25 PM   #13
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Default Re: tie rod rubbing

haha...but I think you are right, it's more than just a saggy spring....
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Old 05-11-2017, 08:32 PM   #14
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Default Re: tie rod rubbing

ASaggyspring will cause the parts to rub...but won't put an S bend in the tie rod! I'd just find a better, or new one and also change the spring as well as SteveB31 suggested. I had to change the front spring on my 29tudor to solve a rub.
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Old 05-11-2017, 08:49 PM   #15
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Default Re: tie rod rubbing

But ... a shorter pitman arm would:

Raise the drag link
Stop the rubbing
Make for easier steering

And allow for that sporty low suspension ?
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Old 05-11-2017, 11:22 PM   #16
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Default Re: tie rod rubbing

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But ... a shorter pitman arm would:

Raise the drag link
Stop the rubbing
Make for easier steering

And allow for that sporty low suspension ?
That all sounds good but the shortened pitman arm is only 1 1/2" shorter and the rub happens right up the front. Raising the back of the drag link by 1 1/2" won't make much difference where it crosses the tie rod.
By how much does the end of the drag link clear the brake arm that goes into the top of the brake. If it is more than it should be, the top steering arm might be bent down. Hard to figure how that could happen but strange $#!T happens over nearly 90 years. Also check the height of the front bumper off the ground on a level surface. That will tell you if the spring has sagged. I had one reset a while ago and what a difference.
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Old 05-11-2017, 11:35 PM   #17
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Default Re: tie rod rubbing

Swap the tie rod end for end and it will only be a problem on RHD cars then.
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Old 05-12-2017, 10:54 AM   #18
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Default Re: tie rod rubbing

a new tie rod will be ordered. I will address the springs if the new rod rubs. when I got the car it had big fat 8"wide tires on modern wheels. I suspect that it may have led to the bends .
thanks everyone !

Lane

Last edited by shark 81; 05-12-2017 at 10:55 AM. Reason: grammer
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Old 05-12-2017, 12:11 PM   #19
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Default Re: tie rod rubbing

Spindle arm can also be bent.
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Old 05-12-2017, 12:23 PM   #20
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Default Re: tie rod rubbing

Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveB31 View Post
your front spring is sagged. Replace the spring- problem solved

Steve @ bert's
I agree the tie rod seems to be bent... but I'll bet your spring like Steve says is sagging as well. Look at the car from the front. If you can't see 1/2 to all of the axle under the front radiator apron standing in front of the car a few paces then the front spring is sagged. We see this all the time and it's amazing how many bad springs there are on "restored" cars. looking at the spring I don't see spring leaves where they should be indicating the spring is weaker than it should be or someone removed leaves to "lower" it.
(see my last paragraph).

Do yourself a favor and remove the tie rod assembly as a unit, undoing the front nuts on the front of the spindle on each side. Back the nut off till flush and use a long large brass drift punch and hammer and knock the arm out of the spindle, and then remove the two arm and of course the steering arm off the sector shaft and the assembly out the drivers side.
You can then service properly the steering arms checking them out as well as replacing the bent tie rod. If the balls are ovalled replace the arms and install a steer eze kit. once installed and all work done do a proper toe in set.

There are many drag links that have flat spots on them from rubbing the tie rod and trust me.... they are NOT from bent tie rods typically.. they are from sagging springs.

Larry Shepard

Last edited by larrys40; 05-12-2017 at 12:28 PM.
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