Re: Adjusting Tie Rod Ends & Drag Link

Posted by Bob Carabbio on April 15, 1998 at 23:50:47

In Reply to: Adjusting Tie Rod Ends & Drag Link
posted by Anthony Gal on April 15, 1998 at 15:55:42

Unless there's actual play between the ends and the steering arms / pittman, (which you should be able to see by watching the ends while somebody rocks the steering back and forth heavily) they probably don't need tightening assuming there's a good spring in place inside the end, and the ball is reasonably ball-shaped.
It appears that you can disassemble the tie-rod by removing the wheel and cranking the steering over so that the end of the tie-rod is visible.The slot is1/8" wide. I got mine all apart with a Very large screwdriver with a square shank and a crescent wrench to twist it.
It'd be a good idea if you don't know what shape things are in to disassemble the joints and see how the components are.
The problem is that the toe-in is affected by the tie-rods ends, and the centralization of the steering box is affected by the axle end of the drag link.If things are seriously worn, proper adjustment will be impossible.The Plug should be just a bit farther in than flush with the end of the housing.
I'd look for loosness in the bearings, worn spindles, looseness where the arms bolt onto the spindles, loose radius rod ball, loose axle in the radius rods, bad toe in/ caster settings.
Bob Carabbio

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