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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Richmond VA
Posts: 670
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stock straight axle steering
I'm getting ready to order parts to rebuild the front end on my 50 GMC. I know there are upgrades for the drag link and tie rod. What I have is in good shape.
It's going to be a around town beater with occasional longer distance high speed trips to pick up parts. Is there any safety reason not to run the original style? I haven't heard either good or bad about them.
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65 Chevy C10 Panel http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=7148391 42 Chevy 3100http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...92#post7184392 96 GMC K2500 Diesel Suburban 89 GTA Trans Am Convertible. |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: El Dorado Springs Missouri
Posts: 246
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Re: stock straight axle steering
That rod just behind the axle (I can't think of the name of it) the original is prone to bending but there is a larger and stranger one available. That is the only thing I know of that is a good idea to change.
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Toppenish, WA
Posts: 15,503
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Re: stock straight axle steering
You do have to stay on top of the original style keeping them adjusted and greasing them on a very regular basis is imperative as is greasing the rest of the suspension. I'd say grease them every 1000 miles like they did when the trucks were new.
Zack B tells it like it is when he says that the tie rod is prone to bending. It might be because they are a solid rod rather than a tube but they do bend if you hit a big pothole hard, or at least mine did on a road trip and I had to pull it off and straighten it in a parking lot in LaPine Oregon. Unless I was shooting for a 100% restoration I'd change out to the replacement setups that use regular style tie rod ends and a tubular tie rod. That would also give you a bit more clearance for wide tires if they are in the plan as the stock tie rods are known to rub on the tires in certain applications.
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Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around. |
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#4 | ||
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Richmond VA
Posts: 670
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Re: stock straight axle steering
Quote:
Quote:
It is one big pothole in the area I work, so I am going to do the upgrades.
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65 Chevy C10 Panel http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=7148391 42 Chevy 3100http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...92#post7184392 96 GMC K2500 Diesel Suburban 89 GTA Trans Am Convertible. |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Grants Pass Oregon
Posts: 473
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Re: stock straight axle steering
Hello 2manyprojects. Just wanted to share my solution for the bending, flexing tie rod. It's on TF series truck but it should work on any truck. I put in the new tie rod ends kit. It's been working for 50 plus years on my truck so I kept it that way. On the tube I drilled a few holes to tack weld it in to place.
Good luck on this project. Earl
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You have to have patiences or you'll be one. |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Post Falls, Idaho
Posts: 1,757
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Re: stock straight axle steering
![]() ![]() These are the ones I used. |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lawrenceville, Ga
Posts: 2,645
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Re: stock straight axle steering
These trucks were made to be abused and driven on dirt roads and farm fields. My tie rod was still straight after 55 years so I put a rebuild kit in the ends and called it good.
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: El Dorado Springs Missouri
Posts: 246
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Re: stock straight axle steering
Found the tie rod replacement I was talking about. It's $130 on ecklerstrucks.com
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Richmond VA
Posts: 670
|
Re: stock straight axle steering
Thanks for all of the replies. it's nice to have options. Right now I'm planning to run the stock stuff to get it on the road and upgrade when i switch to a drop axle.
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65 Chevy C10 Panel http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=7148391 42 Chevy 3100http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...92#post7184392 96 GMC K2500 Diesel Suburban 89 GTA Trans Am Convertible. |
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