Tie Rod Ends

[Chrispbrown36]

I posted this in the 73-87 forum and got no response, so I thought I might bring it over here and see if anyone has an idea.
So, I finally (and don't ask me why I didn't pay any attention to this before Friday) discovered the source of the noise in my front end on my 87 v10. The tie rods were SHOT. It appears that I have the 18 thread in 1", but it appears that the 18 in 1 parts that are sold go with the style that has the solid tie rod coming from the drivers side to the separate tie rod on the passenger side. My truck has the two separate tie rods with the solid tie rod in the center. So, am I mistaken on my measurements and actually have the 18 in 7/8" tie rods? I know I can change it over to the 18 in 1 system, but I like the idea of being able to buy just the ends.....and lord knows it's cheaper.

[lolife99]

I'm having a real hard time understanding your wording.
Let's start from the begining.
Its a 1987 1/2 ton truck, 2wd.

2wd tie rods have been the same from 1973-87 (and thru 1991 on 2wd suburbans)
I can't understand why you can't buy replacement parts locally, unless the parts they gave you were boxed wrong.
The solid tie rod in the center,... is called the "centerlink"
You should have two inner tie rods and two outer tie rods.

[Chrispbrown36]

It is actually a 4wd (V10). If you look up the part it will list two different thread counts: 18 threads in 1 inch and 18 threads in 7/8 of an inch. When I take a tape measure and mark an inch from the end I get 18 threads within that inch. But when I look at the 18 thread in 1 inch tie rod ends the left side one is one solid piece that goes from the drivers side to the passenger side where the other tie rod screws into it. My truck is not like this. My truck has two separate tie rods with a bar between them. The only tie rod ends I have seen like that are the 18 thread in 7/8 inch type.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by Chrispbrown36

It is actually a 4wd (V10). If you look up the part it will list two different thread counts: 18 threads in 1 inch and 18 threads in 7/8 of an inch. When I take a tape measure and mark an inch from the end I get 18 threads within that inch. But when I look at the 18 thread in 1 inch tie rod ends the left side one is one solid piece that goes from the drivers side to the passenger side where the other tie rod screws into it. My truck is not like this. My truck has two separate tie rods with a bar between them. The only tie rod ends I have seen like that are the 18 thread in 7/8 inch type.

Totaly different suspension that I can't help you with.
I assumed all 1/2-ton 4x4 trucks in 1987 were still K10's.
Maybe someone else can help you.

[lolife99]

Ok.
R10= 2wd
V10= 4wd.
I looked up your tie rods on Oreillys page.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...4WD&vi=5013082

7/8-18 means 7/8" diameter and 18 threads per inch.
1-18 means 1" diameter and also 18 threads per inch.

Measure the diameter of your existing tie rods and buy the one that matches.

[Chrispbrown36]

Somewhere they had them classified by the 18 threads per inch and 18 threads per 7/8, but of course I can't find it now. Now that I am thinking about it I remember from a blueprint class I took that is how bolts, screws, etc. are classified. Thanks for reminding me.