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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 200 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 200 | I need a little help. I have a '51 1/2 ton and I've disassembled the steering linkage and found that the relay rod has a bow in it. Should it have a bow or should it be laser straight? Can it be used in this condition? If I roll it on a table it has about a 1/4 to 3/8 inch bow at the highest point. I'm in the process of reassembly and installing the ball studs on the linkage. It's nice to be putting things together for a change. Thanks for any help.
Mark
1951 Chevy 3100
Some days you get the bear. Some days the bear gets you.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 | Relay rod? Do you mean the drag link, from the steering gear to the axle? I believe it needs to be straight, to allow the steering grear to center-point correctly. Fortunately, a few gentle taps with a BFH will straighten it!
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: Sep 2003 Posts: 200 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 200 | HotRod:
I thought it was called the relay rod. It goes from one wheel across to the other wheel. Is this called the tie rod? Anyway, should it be tapped back straight with the infamous BFH?
Thanks.
Mark
1951 Chevy 3100
Some days you get the bear. Some days the bear gets you.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,952 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,952 | I picked up a 53 front end from a guy who did a clip and the tie-rod was bowed. It is not a solid rod but seems to be built from steel tube. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | a bent tie rod is not a good thing, and if straightened will prolly bend again, or break someday - frequently the result of things like bad kingpins, overtight rod ends [not lubed for years] and fat passenger car tires - replace it, or add a piece of angle iron to it [farmers use a chunk of old bed frame  ] Bill | | | | | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 200 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 200 | Hey Guys-
Thanks for the answer. I'm off to find a good one.
Mark
1951 Chevy 3100
Some days you get the bear. Some days the bear gets you.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | What you are refering to is a tie-rod. They ussually get bent by someone using a jack on the axle. No more out than you describe it can be straightened. 
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 200 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 200 | Thanks Wrench. I really would like to keep it. I'll try and staighten it.
Mark
1951 Chevy 3100
Some days you get the bear. Some days the bear gets you.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 476 Moderator | | Moderator Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 476 | I like the chunk of bedframe idea.
I saw a guy bend a tie rod popping over the top of a gully in a Jeep CJ5 with a souped 350. That thing was so pigeon toed that we took the tie rod off right there...
But that's a story for the off topic thread...
Next time I saw the guy he had a piece of angle iron welded on it. Busted a tie rod end that day...
Don't lose your head to save a minute,
You need your head, your brains are in it.
Burma-Shave (1947)
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