02-04-2013, 12:57 PM | #1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Senatobia, MS
Posts: 1,297
|
57 tie rods
Has anyone replaced their old ball & socket stuff for new style tie rod ends? If so, what mods, if any, have to be done to the steering arms? According to this link, http://www.classictruckshop.com/t2_page2.php it doesn't say anything about taper reaming for tie rods but have heard some folks do it.
I know Sid provides this service but curious to hear from others here. Any advice?
__________________
Once a Marine, always a Marine! My (Her) 57 Build "Beverly" My 66 Build "Betty" My 85 C10 "Old Blue" Help Me Find "Old Blue" OLD BLUE PART II |
02-04-2013, 02:21 PM | #2 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 8,853
|
Re: 57 tie rods
you have to remove the steering arms, drill a pilot hole through the back of the ball stud, then hog it out with a 1/2" drill bit and use a hammer and punch to drive it out. The new style tie rod end pops right into place, mounting underneath the steering arms. I just installed 1 on my 56
__________________
My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795 |
02-04-2013, 02:31 PM | #3 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Senatobia, MS
Posts: 1,297
|
Re: 57 tie rods
Quote:
__________________
Once a Marine, always a Marine! My (Her) 57 Build "Beverly" My 66 Build "Betty" My 85 C10 "Old Blue" Help Me Find "Old Blue" OLD BLUE PART II |
|
02-04-2013, 02:45 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: huntington beach
Posts: 845
|
Re: 57 tie rods
I'm leaving the ends alone and just replacing the guts. I think the Truck Stop sells this kit as well.
http://www.classicparts.com/1929-59-.../#.URACp_J42So |
02-04-2013, 03:45 PM | #5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Bakersfield ca.
Posts: 76
|
Re: 57 tie rods
Dubie what aftermarket tierod ends did you use for that. Did you have to ream out the bottom of the steering arm
Posted via Mobile Device |
02-04-2013, 05:18 PM | #6 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 8,853
|
Re: 57 tie rods
no reaming at all. I ordered the tie rod and ends through CPP and once the ball stud was punched out, the new style was a simple bolt in application. I didn't take any pictures of the process but if you search for it, there's a couple good how to articles in Classic Trucks and Custom Classic Trucks magazine
__________________
My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795 |
02-04-2013, 06:56 PM | #7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Post Falls, Idaho
Posts: 1,757
|
Re: 57 tie rods
I pressed out my old ball studs with a press.....no drama at all.
|
02-04-2013, 07:43 PM | #8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Senatobia, MS
Posts: 1,297
|
Re: 57 tie rods
Thanks everyone. I also got me tie rod and ends from cpp. Can't wait to get started.
Posted via Mobile Device
__________________
Once a Marine, always a Marine! My (Her) 57 Build "Beverly" My 66 Build "Betty" My 85 C10 "Old Blue" Help Me Find "Old Blue" OLD BLUE PART II |
02-04-2013, 09:26 PM | #9 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 8,853
|
Re: 57 tie rods
here's a great how to
http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/09...g_removal.html
__________________
My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795 |
02-05-2013, 01:28 AM | #10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Bakersfield ca.
Posts: 76
|
Re: 57 tie rods
Dubie what did you do to your draglink. Is it aftermarket or original. Heat and bend? Thanks
Posted via Mobile Device |
02-05-2013, 08:29 AM | #11 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 8,853
|
Re: 57 tie rods
the drag link is a new aftermarket piece. It didn't require any bending to make it turn better. I measured my turning radius from left to right and just extended my steering stop 3/4". You do however have to heat you steering arm up and bend it to avoid the dreaded bump steer. Or you can purchase the modified steering arm from Sid and just flip the drag link over. That would definitely be a lot less work
__________________
My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795 |
02-05-2013, 09:15 AM | #12 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Senatobia, MS
Posts: 1,297
|
Re: 57 tie rods
Quote:
How does the bend in the steering arm reduce/eliminate the bump steer?
__________________
Once a Marine, always a Marine! My (Her) 57 Build "Beverly" My 66 Build "Betty" My 85 C10 "Old Blue" Help Me Find "Old Blue" OLD BLUE PART II |
|
02-05-2013, 11:50 AM | #13 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 8,853
|
Re: 57 tie rods
you have to heat the steering arm with a torch until it's cherry red then we slid a 36" pipe wrench onto it to bend it downwards. You have to adjust the drag link so that it's parallel with the frame to eliminate bump steer. This is done using the original steering arm. See the attached pictures. The first one, notice how the drag link tilts upward in the front, creating a binding angle. The second picture shows the steering arm bent and the drag link in now running on the same level as the frame, causing no binding. You can buy the drag link and steering arm already modified for a lowered truck from Sids, or you can spend 30 minutes with a torch and a wrench and bend your stock arm. It's not for the faint at heart but works like a hot damn.
Also, look at page 3 of the link I posted above and see how they heated and bent the steering arm. This is done when you lower it with a dropepd axle and mono leafs so the process may not be needed or just not needed as much with just a 3" Posie spring drop
__________________
My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795 |
02-05-2013, 12:14 PM | #14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Senatobia, MS
Posts: 1,297
|
Re: 57 tie rods
Thanks for the pics Dubie. That really helps along with the link you posted. Looks like I'll be heating up some metal soon!
__________________
Once a Marine, always a Marine! My (Her) 57 Build "Beverly" My 66 Build "Betty" My 85 C10 "Old Blue" Help Me Find "Old Blue" OLD BLUE PART II |
02-05-2013, 01:49 PM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Glendora, CA
Posts: 6,341
|
Re: 57 tie rods
Dubie, maybe I missed it but did the Posies ACTUALLY result in a full 3" drop? If its on the road now, would you recommend this method to lower or do you have any regrets over not having used a dropped axle?
Posted via Mobile Device |
02-05-2013, 01:57 PM | #16 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 8,853
|
Re: 57 tie rods
On my truck (which isn't on the road yet) I used a 3" dropped axle with mono leafs. I do know of a guy that was running this same set up and ended up changing his mono leafs out to Posies just so he could haul some weight and it resulted in the truck sitting 1" higher than it did with mono leafs.
__________________
My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795 |
02-06-2013, 05:06 PM | #17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Bakersfield ca.
Posts: 76
|
Re: 57 tie rods
Dubie did you buy your draglink fromm cpp as well or where did you get it. Thanks
Posted via Mobile Device |
02-06-2013, 05:12 PM | #18 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 8,853
|
Re: 57 tie rods
yup, it came from CPP as well. It looks exactly like the stock one except it's made from thicker material
__________________
My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795 |
02-06-2013, 10:13 PM | #19 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Glendora, CA
Posts: 6,341
|
Re: 57 tie rods
I'd like to do that too but it gets real pricey. The Posies are $400 a pair and the dropped axle (I think) is another $400 and thats before you add in the possible cost of Sid providing the additional modified parts. Do the rear with Posies as well and there's ANOTHER $400. Eek!
|
02-06-2013, 11:36 PM | #20 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 8,853
|
Re: 57 tie rods
It's definitely not cheap to modify a solid axle truck. I could have bought a hub to hub IFS kit shipped to me for the same amount. I'm doing it out of character alone. It was the era of technology that my build is based on
Posted via Mobile Device
__________________
My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795 |
08-15-2013, 12:54 PM | #21 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: San Angelo, Tx
Posts: 1,068
|
Re: 57 tie rods
Quote:
There's an important thing to know that that they leave out of these instructions. It has also failed to be mentioned in this thread. I read this thread and made the attempt to do it but was having trouble so I went back to searching the net. I then found what the problem was. On the back side of the arms where the balls go in, the ball stud is flared out at the end preventing it from being pressed or driven out until the flare is removed. I've found other instructions that say to use a 9/16" drill bit from the back side and go in 1/16" with it. While that would remove the flare, it does mean you have to hit the exact center of the stud with the bit which is not easy to do even in a drill press. I found it better to drill all the way through the stud with a 3/8" bit and then use a carbide burr to remove the flare. The ball stud with then drive or press out from the back. |
|
08-15-2013, 08:58 PM | #22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 310
|
Re: 57 tie rods
[QUOTE=arturo7;5867077]I'm leaving the ends alone and just replacing the guts. I think the Truck Stop sells this kit as well.
You can buy the old original kit at any NAPA. But the modern sealed joints are a 1000% better. The original joints were supposed to be greased every 1000 miles or 4 months. Grind off the peened over end and then use a press and/or heat to loosen the old ball stud. I just heated the arm (not the ball) and drove the stud out with a hammer and punch. You need a Pitman arm puller to get that off the steering box. Not expensive and then you own one more tool.
__________________
Gale Gorman '54 3100 '67 C20 stepside |
08-15-2013, 09:26 PM | #23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: San Angelo, Tx
Posts: 1,068
|
Re: 57 tie rods
Look what a PO mechanic did to mine. It's a good think I didn't drive this truck that much before tearing down to do the restomod.
Although, it's a stretch to call this mechanic work. More like hack work. Take a look at the these tie rod ends: I would think one good bump could have popped the balls out of the sockets pretty darn easy. Result is loss of steering and possible loss of life. Loosing steering is a fear I have. I haven't had it happen to me but I used to live in the mountains and have seen it happen. So, I found that CPP sells an upgrade thicker tie rod with the standard style of ends that eliminate the balls. So, I decided to go that route and already bought the kit. They had it on ebay with only $10 shipping. So, I cut of their balls (the steering arm's of course) and pressed out the studs. Take a look at the wear on the balls and the weld job on the sockets: |
08-15-2013, 10:56 PM | #24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 310
|
Re: 57 tie rods
My '54 joints look like new compared to those but I'm replacing them anyway.
In one picture they welded a bead where the socket was wearing out. Another idea on the drag link is to use two tie-rod ends and cut right and left threads on a 3/4" bar. Then you can easily adjust the length of the drag link. The original tie-rod is just a mild steel 3/4" bar with right and left threads. About the only way they get bent is to snag something when backing up. Even then the rod is easily straightened.
__________________
Gale Gorman '54 3100 '67 C20 stepside |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|