72 K20 Steering Tie Rod Installation

[Brian 72 K20]

I've removed the front axle and got it all back together except for the steering tie rod that goes from one wheel to the other. Do the studs go up with the nuts on top or down with the nuts on the underside?

I thought when I removed it the nuts were on top, but the service manual seems to show the studs going down and the nuts on the bottom. Tho it's not the best picture.

I don't have enough clearance with the leaf springs to install it with the nuts on the underside. They're new aftermarket springs. Even if I could install it, I'd have about 1/4 inch between the top of tie rod and the bottom of the leaf spring. I can get one side in, but when I try to install the other, I can't lift it high enough for the stud to drop in because the tie rod hits the bottom of the leaf spring.

To install it from the top, I'd have to loosen the axle u bolts and drop the axle about 1/2 inch, which doesn't makes sense.

So I'm hoping it goes in from the bottom with the nuts on top and I'm misreading the service manual photo.

Can someone confirm if it's nuts on top or nuts on bottom? And if they are on the bottom, any problem with installing it with the nuts on top?

[Sicklajoie]

You mean this?
Browsing your previous posts, you've been rebuilding your front end.
Are you sure you put everything else before this back together properly?

[Sicklajoie]

For reference, this 72 K/20 just went on Bring A Trailer, the gallery has a bunch of front end pics.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...k20-pickup-22/

[Brian 72 K20]

I hope everything went back together correctly. The only thing I can think of is the new spring. It has more leaves in it and is about 1/2 inch thicker at the axle than the stock. I'll look tomorrow.

BOT is a good idea. I got to remember that.

Thanks

[Toro]

Originally Posted by Brian 72 K20

I've removed the front axle and got it all back together except for the steering tie rod that goes from one wheel to the other. Do the studs go up with the nuts on top or down with the nuts on the underside?

I thought when I removed it the nuts were on top, but the service manual seems to show the studs going down and the nuts on the bottom. Tho it's not the best picture.

I don't have enough clearance with the leaf springs to install it with the nuts on the underside. They're new aftermarket springs. Even if I could install it, I'd have about 1/4 inch between the top of tie rod and the bottom of the leaf spring. I can get one side in, but when I try to install the other, I can't lift it high enough for the stud to drop in because the tie rod hits the bottom of the leaf spring.

To install it from the top, I'd have to loosen the axle u bolts and drop the axle about 1/2 inch, which doesn't makes sense.

So I'm hoping it goes in from the bottom with the nuts on top and I'm misreading the service manual photo.

Can someone confirm if it's nuts on top or nuts on bottom? And if they are on the bottom, any problem with installing it with the nuts on top?

The nuts are on the bottom. The tie rod ends go down through the top side. The steering knuckle is tapered, so the tie rod ends won't seat properly if installed up through the bottom, plus you won't have enough threads for the nut. You don't need to loosen u-bolts or move leaf springs. Install each tie rod end (with nut on bottom) and then thread your steering rod onto one side for about two turns. You can then spread out the opposite wheel and move things to line up the other tie rod end with the steering rod. Begin to thread/turn it in place until you get to the desired distance. In my case, from center to center of each tie rod end was 57 1/4". Don't forget to have your locking clamps already in place on the steering rod, and be sure your tie rod ends have separate left hand and right hand threads.

[Brian 72 K20]

great idea. thank you very much.

I measured mine at 57 1/2