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#966585 08/24/2013 3:07 PM
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I took off the front tires today to get new tires put on. Noticed the tierod had a big bow to it. Is that correct? When I drove it the other day to the DMV to transfer it was very loose in the steering. What should I do next? Any picts of the correct setup?

Mark

How do I add picts that I have in Photobucket?

Last edited by Mark Miller; 08/24/2013 3:09 PM.

1946 1/2 ton - 1962 "261"
1953 1/2 ton 5-window - "235"
1955 1/2 ton - 55 "265" Corvette motor
1959 1/2 ton Fleetside - "283"
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I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be straight. I would also guess your tie rod ends are worn out.

Bruce


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http://s1274.photobucket.com/user/m...amp;_suid=137747698869505183418314071437

Here are the picts of the tierod, anyone have some of the correct look?

Mark

Last edited by Mark Miller; 08/25/2013 8:35 PM.

1946 1/2 ton - 1962 "261"
1953 1/2 ton 5-window - "235"
1955 1/2 ton - 55 "265" Corvette motor
1959 1/2 ton Fleetside - "283"
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,186
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Yep.....that's bent. Somebody probably towed the truck with a strap or chain around the tie rod and axle.

Bruce


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Just before I read your post Bruce, I was recalling that I was towed by AAA recently and that he had to have put the strap around the tie rod. Stupid SOB. I was in a lot of traffic or maybe I would have been paying more attention.

Could I put a come along on it to the back and straighten it out?

Was shaking going to the DMV, no wonder. Has toe out. Kinda like camel toe?

Mark


1946 1/2 ton - 1962 "261"
1953 1/2 ton 5-window - "235"
1955 1/2 ton - 55 "265" Corvette motor
1959 1/2 ton Fleetside - "283"
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You could try straightening it. If it's made as well as I think, it will take some doing. I would check with local junkyards, the old ones, to see if they have one laying around. It would be a lot less work to just change it out.

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I layed mine across the frame rails of my COE and gave it a roll, tapping it with a sledge hammer until all the wobble was gone. Worked like a charm. Don't use a come along, thats just asking for trouble.

Jeff


My 1953 Chevrolet
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I've straightened a bent drag link with good luck by holding it like a baseball bat with gloves on and hitting the center of the bend across a telephone pole. An old auto mechanic taught me this trick, he claimed it would straighten it without damaging the metal (like you could do with heat or a big hammer)...worked for me.

Worth at try and it doesn't cost much, just make sure you hold on tight!

Mike B smile


Mike Boteler

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Some times a tie rod will want to go back toward the shape it was bent to, I usually pull them off straighten them in a press then stuff a solid shaft inside after I've drilled a few holes in the tube, then plug weld the shaft into the tube, be careful that you leave enough room for the tie rod ends to screw back in.

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Is the tie rod hollow?


1946 1/2 ton - 1962 "261"
1953 1/2 ton 5-window - "235"
1955 1/2 ton - 55 "265" Corvette motor
1959 1/2 ton Fleetside - "283"
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I have a 46 1/2 ton. I straightened mine in an arbor press. I just kept moving it and pushing on the high part of the crown. It was no effort. It just takes time. Mines a solid steel rod

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Originally Posted by Mark Miller
Is the tie rod hollow?

On these old trucks I've never seen one that wasn't.

Jeff


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1972 C-10 1/2 Ton & 1972 C-30 1 Ton
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OK, got the tie rod off. It is hollow. I will get straightened. But getting it off I messed up the spacers and spring that are on the ends. Do I just find them on line and install, or is there more I should do? Do all the parts sellers have them?


1946 1/2 ton - 1962 "261"
1953 1/2 ton 5-window - "235"
1955 1/2 ton - 55 "265" Corvette motor
1959 1/2 ton Fleetside - "283"
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 101
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'Bolter
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I got the tie rod off, but messed up the spacers/spring on one end. I have looked in the parts book and manual but can't find that part/parts. Anyone know where to get the part/parts I need?

Mark


1946 1/2 ton - 1962 "261"
1953 1/2 ton 5-window - "235"
1955 1/2 ton - 55 "265" Corvette motor
1959 1/2 ton Fleetside - "283"
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 165
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Sounds like you need a new tie rod end,one is left handed thread and one is right handed thread,you should count the turns as you remove the ends so that you get them back where they need to be, but your still going to need to check the toe when you put everything back together.


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