The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 1953 3600 truck tie rod ends.

My father purchased his 1953 Chevy 3600 truck brand new in Texas, using it to relocate to California. It remained the only truck he ever owned until his passing in 2002. I mention this history because the truck has seen a great deal of use over the years, and I’m not certain whether the current tie rod bar and tie rod ends are original or possibly replacements from a ½-ton model.

When I removed the tie rod end from the steering arm, it slipped out with no resistance. The tie rod stem itself is relatively straight with little to no taper, while the steering arm it fits into appears to be tapered—or perhaps worn.

Here are the measurements I recorded:

Tie rod end stud taper: upper = 0.539", lower = 0.530"

Steering arm mounting hole taper: upper = 0.650", lower = 0.584"

I know there have been some older posts with similar questions, but I haven’t found a clear answer. I’m hoping to figure out which tie rod ends will work out.

I’ve also attached an image of the truck’s tie rod ends for reference.

Florencio Jayar Flores

If I am seeing the pictures correctly I do not believe the tie rod ends are the orginal design (they would have a screw in cap on the end).

My '50 3600 had/has tapered tie rod end connections and i replaced the originals with the newer style from the Filling Station (AF-168 1932-1959 CAR/TRUCK TIE ROD ENDS-REPLACEMENT) but note that the dust boots split shortly after installation and prior to any real use. I do not have the measurement of the studs to compare to yours but I anticipate that others will be along shortly to provide additional input.

Florencio - Just a note to say I removed the PDF from your attachments since you got the picture to post that had all that info.

As WICruiser said, others should be along soon with more helpful info on your tie rod end predicament.

I know that 1/2 ton steering arms have straight holes for the tie rod ends with a small chamfer on top an bottom. The ball studs also were straight and swedged in place. Apparently, larger trucks have tapered holes (see Filling Station PN SA-154) That reference says the stud is 0.532 diameter, but doesn't say whether that's the big or small end. From the dimensions of the tapered holes in your steering arms, it appears they may be wollered out. I would guess if that's the case the holes would be oblong. I'm not sure of the taper dimensions of more modern tie rod ends, but that might be an option. You may have to ream the holes with a taper reamer to fit modern tie-rod ends.
Like WICruiser, I also had the boots on the replacement tie-rod ends I used split. I replaced those with a boot from Energy Suspension.