HELP PLEASE!!!! Steering Issues

[EVBuilder]

I have a 1963 GMC C-1000. The front suspension was changed at some point to what I was told was 1984 full size van 1500 series. I had a loose tie rod end and thought that the hole in the spindle was worn out from the nut being loose but when I put a replacement spindle on, the tie rod end is loose in it as well. Does anyone know what tie rod end would work in this truck? What do I need to change to make the steering work properly and safely? This is my main mode of transportation at the moment and need it fixed ASAP.

[EVBuilder]

If I were to assume that the front suspension is 1984 full size van. What if the tie rods are original to the 1963? Is there a tie rod that fits both 1984 spindle and the 1963 threaded sleeve?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by EVBuilder

If I were to assume that the front suspension is 1984 full size van. What if the tie rods are original to the 1963? Is there a tie rod that fits both 1984 spindle and the 1963 threaded sleeve?

I doubt. Not knowing exactly how your swap was done makes it difficult to offer suggestions. There are 'adapter sleeves' for tie-rods that allow using the original inners w/later model disc brake outers. Check w/CPP or Early Classis Enterprises. Another possibility is to check w/some of the board supporting vendors. It's possible they offer these tie-rod adapters.

If those aren't an option, you need to start somewhere..... Maybe bring one of the tie-rods w/you to the parts house. You know you need something w/a slightly larger taper dimension that's for a GM truck.

[EVBuilder]

I have been PMing Aerotruck and he was some help there too with the sleeve idea. the thing is I am not even sure what this front end came out of. It has metric wheel studs and alen key calipers. So it could be anything maybe even later 80's I am not really sure. I wish these guys kept a log of the parts they used it would have saved me a ton of trouble.

[EVBuilder]

For anyone else who has the same issue I have. When changing the front suspension on a 63 to one with disc brakes from a 73 to 87. the outer tie rod end is bigger on the newer stuff. So if you want to make it right one thing that can be done is to get an adapter adjusting sleeve from Performance online which has the 1963 5/8" thread on one end and the 11/16" on the other end for the bigger tie rod end. Then everything fits tight and true and works like it should. It took a while to get this information but thanks to Aerotruck63 helping figure it out I thought I would pass that along to everyone else.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by EVBuilder

For anyone else who has the same issue I have. When changing the front suspension on a 63 to one with disc brakes from a 73 to 87. the outer tie rod end is bigger on the newer stuff. So if you want to make it right one thing that can be done is to get an adapter adjusting sleeve from Performance online which has the 1963 5/8" thread on one end and the 11/16" on the other end for the bigger tie rod end. Then everything fits tight and true and works like it should. It took a while to get this information but thanks to Aerotruck63 helping figure it out I thought I would pass that along to everyone else.

This is why I recommend using all the later model stuff. If you use the tie-rods & drag link from the 73-up donor that the brakes come from, you wouldn't need the tie-rod adapter (71-72 will also work but are harder to find).

Glad you found what you needed.

[EVBuilder]

If I had been the one doing the conversion from the start I would have learned all this stuff prior to starting it. Unfortunately I found out about after the fact when the right tie rod was about to fall off and the nut was worn to half its former height.

[raycow]

Originally Posted by EVBuilder

Is there a tie rod that fits both 1984 spindle and the 1963 threaded sleeve?

Not necessarily, but another member found a tie rod end with the reverse arrangement. It fits the large adjusting sleeve and the small tapered hole in the early center link, so you can keep the tie rod end that is stock for the spindle.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...77#post1298277

Ray