The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Tie rod end replacement. What am I getting myself into?

Read,read,read, that's what I have been doing and with each article and post I read I become more and more intimidated with the though of replacing these things myself. It sounds like the balls are really tough to get off. Its a '41 1 1/2 ton. Do i need to take off the steering rods, grind the ends off then bang the crap out of them to get them out?
I'm new to this but I have to do this cause Its really tough to drive at the moment with it floating all over the road.

Thanks
Andy

I never did a '41 and certainly never did a truck that big. My experience says, yes, it's a hard job. It's even harder if you are laying on your back using a big hammer and pickle bar. You might want to ask a local shop what they think about the job labor and cost wise.

TK421, do NOT be intimidated by these old trucks. They can be ornary and contrary but you can do it. First thing is to get a service manual for your truck and read up on what it says. Are you may check out the Online Manuals here http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/

Just take your time and as you do it and run into a specific problem let us know. Guys here are willing to help.

If memory serves - On a 1941, you just Remove the Cotter Pin and Un-screw the end-Plug, and the Tie Rod lifts off...

A Girl Scout could do it...

No 'Pickle Bar' or Hammer needed...

If it's "floating all over the Road" chances are it is because the -

Wheel Alignment is off...( or a bent Tie Rod )

King Pins or their Sockets are worn out...

Front Wheel Bearings are loose or worn out...

Under-Inflated Tires...

Steering Box is loose or needing adjustment or ( if rare, ) worn out.

Or any combination of the above.

Rather than bad Tie Rod ends or Ball Joints.


Get the front end of your Truck up on suitably sturdy Jack Stands, and it is a lot easier to check on these things.

It might be better to take a good look at things. The tie rod ends have serviceable parts in them. Many times you are able to replace the pucks and spring inside the tie rod ends and tighten things up to spec and be ready to go. As mentioned about, take the time to check your king pins, wheel bearings and steering box adjustments along with checking the fluid in it.

Tie rods were shot, replaced, steering much tighter. King pins are good, checking bearings and steering box tonight.
Thanks for the help so far.

Andy

Good. It sounds like you handled your worries about the job pretty well.

I had had the ends basting in PB Blaster for about two weeks took a few good whacks and out they popped. Unscrewing them from the bar on the other hand took a while. Imagine my surprise when neither of them had locking cotter pin. Another question, what direction should the bow in the bar face? Forward, Back, up or down.

Thanks

What "bar"? Are you talking about the tie rod? Shouldn't it be straight?
Sorry, I'm not familiar with your model.

bent tie rods are pretty common from sloppy jacking, I've found some with a piece of angle iron welded on to pull them straight .... if it's bowed it's time for a new one

Bill

Far as I recall the Tie Rod on a '41 should be "Straight".

Where did you get new Ball Joints from for a 1941 1-1/2 Ton?

I have never before heard of a Chevrolet Truck of that vintage having a bad Ball Joint.

Yes, It is the tie rod, It is in a very symmetrical V with about a 10 degree bend right in the middle.
Found tie rod ends at rock auto of all places. Fit perfectly.

The Tie Rod ends fit on to the Ball Joints...they are two different things.

Probably someone drove over and caught something on the ground and bent the Tie Rod somewhere along the way.

It should not have a "Vee" in it.

Being bent like that would definitely adversely effect driving stability, and or would represent an excessive 'Tow In' making it about impossible to drive straight without constant corrections and struggles with the Steering Wheel.

Any idea where i could find a new one?

It looks like 1941 commercial/truck tie rod ends are the same as 1947-1955st 3100/3600 tie rod ends.

A repair kit is available for original ends (most reproduction parts vendors sell them), and original-style tie rod end assemblies are available from Rare Parts (very nice, but $$$), and after-market-style sealed tie rod ends are available from many vendors.

Looking for a new tie rod. Its bent. I just replaced the ends.

Has anyone else straightened a tie rod end? I have and it stayed straight ever since. I don't want to recommend to anyone to do what I have done on my own truck in case that practice is inherently unsafe. I did not use heat, BTW. I figured that since it can be bent without breaking, I should be able to straighten it without damage. After straightening, there were no stress cracks.
Carl

Thank You

My '56 has an angle iron brace. It was that way when I bought it and I've been driving it 9 years

I drove a 57 for a few years with angle iron on the tie rod, until I parted out a TF with a straight rod - works OK but I don't think a mechanical safety inspection would let it by

Bill

Yes I have Carl, straightened my tie rod. It had a slight wow
in it when I got it, pretty common occurrence with these
trucks since they hang down where anything that sticks up can
bend them. They're mild steel tubing, not tempered or forged
like the spindles or steering knuckles so it isn't a problem
as long as the bend isn't sharp. Also because of the length
they are not to strong in compression, it's very easy to put a
bend in one by bumping a curb or rut in the field.
I made a set of clamps to keep the tube from rotating while I
reshaped mine in a press:
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/121617855
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/157490332
By re-positioning it a number of times you can straighten them
out as good as new.
dg