Slightly bent tie rod and drag link

[pvienneau]

Should I replace or straighten bent tie rod and drag link? I cleaned up the tie rod and drag link however B4 I straighten and paint I wanted to ask opinion to the board.

Pat

[Highsider]

I remember at least one poster here intentionally bending his drag link for better clearance.
Maybe using the search would find it.

[mr48chev]

Well, I have actually straightened it in a parking lot in La Pine, Oregon on a Sunday Afternoon on the way back from Pleasanton after I hit a big pothole in the bay area and bent it.

I bought a big pipe wrench off a guy with a little side of the road used stuff store and ran the wheel of the truck up on the curb so I could get under it and turn the tie rod so I could use my jack to push it back almost straight. I then had to use the pipe wrench and jack to turn the tie rod to set the toe in. The truck drove a lot better the rest of the way home.

I think I would pull it off and use a press to straighten it and go again. While you have it
off I'd suggest taking the ends off and cleaning up the threads real good and putting a bit of something to lube them and keep them from rusting and then screw them back on an even number of turns close to what they were on before. That will make the tie rod a lot easier to adjust under the truck when you set the toe in.

If you haven't done it before the very simple and very accurate method of setting the toe in is to raise each wheel off the floor and scribe a line at the center of the tire tread while you gently spin the tire. I usually brace the hand holding the pencil with something so I get a real straight line. then let the truck down bounce it by pushing down on the bumper a few times to settle the suspension and measure from the line in the center of one tread to the line in the center of the other tread (you need a helper to hold the end of the tape measure) at the front side and back side of the tires and equal distance off the floor and subtracting the front measurement from the rear measurement. You should have right at 1/8 inch less in front than back to have 1/8 toe in which is the desired toe in.

[Number 9]

We used to bend tie rods on our farm pickup. Got tired of straightening it so we welded a angle iron to it. Worked fine many years that way. Hollow tie rods should have been used instead of solid as they are stronger. (More surface area)

[pvienneau]

Rebuilding from a complete tear down and am working on the tie rod and drag link. Slight bend in each, plan to straighten without heat if possible. Mechanics recommend new however they work on new vehicles not these old tanks. Safety reasons should I replace the 2 parts or is it safe to use the old ones. The rods and ends look good with the exception of the bend.

[Clarance J]

Hello pvienneau, Just an idea that you might consider. My tie rod had a slight curve in it also. A few pics of how corrected it.

The tube is 1/8" wall by maybe 42" long. Protect the end you tap on.

It's quick, it's easy, and it's cheap, and it works. Have not had any problems with mine. Good luck with any way you decide.

[pvienneau]

Awesome idea, Ill be doing it soon.

Thanks

Pat

[mr48chev]

Wish I had thought of that one Clarence. Good mod there that will keep it from bending in the future.

[Clarance J]

Glad I could help.


Earl aka Clarance J

[1958Warrior]

When I took mine apart to put the clip in , PO had welded some 3/4" or 1" angle iron to it,to beef it up. The guy that bought most of the front end parts on CL actually pointed it out, said it was a common fix to see.

[1project2many]

The original 5/8" tie rod is very small for original tires and imo not appropriate for today's wider, softer sidewall radials. This is especially true if power steering is added.

I picked up a faulty tie rod from a 70s to 80s K1500 as a basis for my new tie rod. They're about 1" diameter. Then I had a local machine shop cut it and machine threads in the end to match the tie rod ends. That one's not gonna bend unless it's in an accident.

I bought a new drag link as the old one was too worn to repair.

[pvienneau]

Hey Clearance, is that a piece of gas pipe? Thinking of modding today. I want to get the right steel tube.

Pat

[Clarance J]

Hey Pat, It was 1/8 wall steel tubing 3/4 ID x 1" OD. The 3/4 ID just matched the OD of my tie rod. I'm sure gas pipe would do the job or chromolly tubing. The tubing/pipe was just what they sold at the steel shop. Take the tie rod with you when you go to buy the stock to match the OD and ID. Not a lot of information but I hope it will help.

Earl

[pvienneau]

Earl, I found a site with the free shipping through the 30th that sells steel tubing -> http://www.industrialmetalsales.com

$12.00 got me a 48 inch tube in the specs you described.

Thanks