The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Tie Rod Ends

Is anyone still selling the tie rod ends for the Second Series '55 Chevy 3600?

Try www.rareparts.com

I know they have kingpin sets and drag links and other steering parts. They'll also make new stuff for you if you send them your old stuff. Give them a call.

I just checked them out. They look very helpful! Thanks!

Jim Carter lists a repair kit for 1/2 - 1 ton trucks.

https://oldchevytrucks.com/1955-195...d-end-repair-kits-replacement-balls.html

How well do the repair kits work?

I used the repair kit ends from Jim Carter, and also replaced the balls that the drag link connects to. On the tie rod, I used the modern style tie rod ends after removing the balls from the steering arms. It drives nicely, although I've only put 100 miles on it since, so can't comment on the longevity. I used the "weld-in" replacement balls but just pressed them in and peened the ends over as the originals were installed.

mrcaddy, Otto's suggest source seems to be "out-of-stock" with most of the possible tie rod ends, both original style rebuildable and after market replacement style. Before we get too much more in the dirt on what parts are available, maybe let us know what you currently have on your truck? If you can attach a picture or two, we can better offer some sources for replacement parts. There are a lot of our usual vendors as well as some ebay sellers with NOS/NORS parts out there, but we need to know for sure what you have to lead you towards the best options or suggestions.

Oh yeah, I would recommend Jim Carter parts any time! I have used them quite a bit and can say I have never been unhappy with anything I have purchased from him. Also worth noting is his ME180TR Repair kit costs about 1/5th of Otto's suggest source for virtually the same kit.

PS - Since this thread topic is actually about steering it best fits in the Driveline forum, so it's been moved there for further conversation and help.

Doesn't your 3600 have the tapered tie rod ends?

Well, I've had this truck 40 years this summer and I'm not exactly sure. I know they should be stock and probably haven't ever been changed that I know of.

My truck is a 1957 3/4 ton GMC

Here is a reference link which may be helpful https://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/universal_outer_tie_rod_ends.asp

My original tie rod had male ends, Threaded 750-16.
I found replacement tie rod ends which were male, so bought some 1 inch cold rolled steel and had a new tie rod cut and threaded.
New ends were ES150R and ES150L. Maybe you can find some with the same dimensions with female thread to work with your original tie rod.

Good luck

THIS is what I used. The studs on the joints are straight rather than tapered, which matches up with the hole in the 3100 steering arms after you remove the ball. They have 3/4-16 threads. One left hand and one right hand. Says they fit 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton up through 1959.

When looking at the Moog photos and choosing a rod end pay attention to the length of the threaded shank, shorter gives you less range of adjustment when you have a jam nut (which takes up threads), you want as much insertion into the female threads as possible to aid in sleeping at night.

I found when I did mine a 1-1/2” threaded portion gave very little adjustment, maybe 3/16” of threads showing “at most” on each end, not much really….had to be more precise than I expected… didn’t leave much room to play with on fab’ing a drag link trying to get centered on the sector.

Chuck