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Tie Rod Swap Straight Axle
Posted: July 13, 2007, 10:12 pm
by six-two
Has anyone swapped out a tierod on a straight axle slick? Sounds straightforward to me but any tips or warnings would be appreciated. I plan on buying a tie rod removal tool, by the way. Where can I get a cheap one and are their any brands I should avoid or try to get. THANKS!!!
__________________________________six-two
Posted: July 13, 2007, 11:18 pm
by Max
You mean the tie rod fork-looking tool? I got mine at Northern Tool and have used it for all sorts of stuff besides taking the tie rod ends off. Don't remember the brand, probably Chinese. Sears had them too, but cha-ching!
It just wedges in under the dust cap and a tap with a hammer and it'll pop right off of the steering arms. Then you can unscrew the tie rod ends for cleaning, replacement or whatever.
Posted: July 14, 2007, 7:02 pm
by Greg D
Six-Two, (BTW nice Uni) you don't need a "pickle fork" (old slang for them). Hold a 2lb or so hammer tight on one side of the socket where the tie rod end fits. Then wack the opposite side a few times (don't be shy) with a regular 1lb ball peen. Should pop right out with a light tap. Don't make the mistake of believing they will come out easy just cause you have a ball joint fork either.
Posted: July 14, 2007, 7:38 pm
by Phil
Pickle forks usually waste thee boot as well.
I knwo your replacing it but I like to use a pitman arm puller. Add some tension and wack the mount with a heavy hammer.
Autozone rents em free.
I admit I have taken the nut off and rethreaded it partially on and blasted that with my hammer. I replace the nuts and cotterpins anyway.
Probably wrong but weel there ya go
Posted: July 15, 2007, 11:25 pm
by six-two
I'm going to Autozone. (After I go to work for a few weeks, save up some cash, put it off for a month, and do some other stuff, but then I'm going.)
______________________________six-two
Posted: July 20, 2007, 12:38 am
by six-two
Well... still working on the cash part and then I plan on procrastinating for a month or so but until then... Has anybody else done a tie rod? Was it easy to align or did you just take it to the shop?
____________________________________six-two
Posted: July 20, 2007, 5:07 am
by 64 f100
Straight axles are fairly easy to realine, as long as the kingpin bushings are tight in the front end. Jack the front end up off the ground, and mark two spots, one on each rim. Measure the distance between the rims on these spots front and back. You should be 1/16 to 1/8th inch wider in the rear. You don't actually have to measure this, with a tape measure. I made a piece out of a half inch conduit, and found something round to fit inside it, and just mark the inside piece where touches in front. Then I check it against the back. You have to rotate the tires to get the spots oposite from each other. Why use the same two spotss on the rims, because most rims are bent a little, even new rims, if stamped steel.
Rich
Posted: July 24, 2007, 10:22 pm
by six-two
64 f100, Thanks!
________________________________six-two