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BUSY BOLTERS Are you one?  The Shop Area
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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Jun 2017 Posts: 120 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2017 Posts: 120 | Hello everyone, I have the tie rod ends that look like they’re either pressed or welded into place, can someone tell me if I can replace them with the ball tie rod ends that bolt into place or do I have to weld new ones in place, and how do I get the old ones out without tearing the spindles apart.
I have a 54 half ton Chevy pick up.
Thanks for the help | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 | The ball ends are pressed into place and riveted. There is a chamfer in the steering arm on the side opposite the ball. Drill a hole partway through the ball stud and use a large drill bit to cut away the metal that's peened over the chamfer. The ball stud will drive or press out with a lot less effort once that's done, with no damage to the steering arm.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2017 Posts: 120 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2017 Posts: 120 | Thanks, so what do I use as a replacement, the type with a castle nut on the end? | | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,189 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,189 | | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 | I'd choose the straight shank balls sized to about a .001" press fit and peen the ends over thoroughly after they're pressed in. If the old ones held for 70-something years, that system seems to work OK. Don't mess with success!
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2017 Posts: 120 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2017 Posts: 120 | | | | | | Joined: Jun 2017 Posts: 120 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2017 Posts: 120 | On the other hand, could I use the bolt in ball with the castle nut if I wanted to? Is it the same size?
Can’t say I’m going to use it, just wanted to know if I could and the fit would work. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,112 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,112 | I used the the ball with the castle nut for my steering arm. They have worked out perfectly. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2017 Posts: 120 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2017 Posts: 120 | Thanks for the input, Todd | | | | | Joined: Dec 2019 Posts: 36 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2019 Posts: 36 | Brothers Truck supply has a video on you tube on how to replace the ball type tie rod end with the new current style tie rod ends that are available. He puts the steering arm in a vise and grinds off the ball and then grinds the stub down to the arm. Then they are pressed out from that side using a shop press. I plan on doing mine this way. | | |
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