The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Tie Rod Removal 1957 3100

I know that the tie rod END topic has been discussed ad naseum. That's not what I am asking for help on.

I have a second front suspension from a truck that was getting scrapped and I figured I would tinker with this assembly until done so that I don't take my truck offline during the critical Spring Cruising Season. My goals for this front suspension are:

1. To replace kingpins and tighten up to specs
2. To refurbish the original tie rod ends to factory specs
3. To slowly add brake components that will convert it to front discs in the most 'off-the-shelf' manner possible
4. To replace spring eye bushings and install the whole unit under my truck, which wanders a bit.

So of course, I ran into the first problem today; Trying to remove the end caps of the original style tie rod ends. This was NOT discussed ad nauseum (or at least not in a way that I could find it). I used my shop manual and, after an hour of searching through the Section 3, found that there were NO instructions on rebuilding the tie rod ends. In fact, the only reference to the tie rods is where the axle disassembly section tells you to "Remove tie rod as directed under "Tie rod removal" in this section." Of course, it's nowhere in the section. Some funny guy at GM, I guess.

I did find a cotter pin running through the end cap. Don't know if it's supposed to be there. But there it was. Everything is rusted and frozen, but is there a special tool for removing the tie rod end caps? Are they regular threads? Do I just need to heat it to break the rust then use a BFS to unscrew it?

Everyone seems to replace these with the newer style. Am I wasting my time rebuilding the ones I have?

Thanks for any help along the way.

Jim

The cotter pin should be in the end. You can buy a big screwdriver bit that will fit into the end cap.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-4-pc-drag-link-socket-set/p-00934299000P
I have never had to use heat to get them out, I always clean it out as much as I can and then spray it with some penetrating oil. They are regular threads.
Good Luck
Don

That did the trick. Using your photo, I found that my steel chisel with hex shaft was about the right size and used that in combination with a wrench to unscrew the end caps. Worked Great. Thanks!

Bad news is the right side spindle is toast. Guess I am back to square one, with regards to the axle rebuild.

Always the way of things, isn't it?

Appreciate the help,

Jim