{Steering} bad tie rod end? -- pic

[85crownHPP]

I think the drag link doesnt have any ball joints in it... I suppose the yard is the only replacement option if the holes are eggy.

[gadget73]

You're right, it doesn't now that I think about it. OK, so it just gets cleaned off and painted. The rest goes!

[Paul_]

I think I got mine for like $24 each, but I'm not pleased with them. Less than a year old and one of the dust boots is split. Spicer brand. Not impressed.

When I rebuild the front end I'm going to replace them and the sleeves, along with the pitman arm, idler arm and drag link just so everything under there will be new. I might do the steering box at this time too if we can nail down the specifics on use of a newer PI steering gear on a box.

found this for ya

http://www.p71interceptor.com/steering/gearboxes/partnumbers.html

[phayzer5]

my set of tie rods were < $100 off ebay and the sleeves were 12 and change at my local NAPA.

[Lincolnmania]

i bought 4 new tie rod ends on ebay for 48 shipped.........an idler arm from pep boys 28 bucks......a pitman arm from pep boys 28 bucks

[monterey1962]

Just adding the link to the alignment thread as I feel that it is fitting to this subject.

Wheel alignment info regarding tires/rims

[monterey1962]

So, I buy my parts. Paid more than I wanted too. Moog is the brand I got.

Got home. Opened the boxes. What do I find?

One of the rod ends has a big green inspection tag wired to it. Marked "OK" for shipping. Compared to the other rod ends it looks like crap.

One adjustment sleeve is sealed in a bag and is brand new. The other one had no bag and is clearly used. I am not happy at all. :cuss:

Now I have to fuckin' drive all the way back down there tomorrow morning and reorder that shit. :cuss: :cuss: When I pay for new it had better be new.

[85crownHPP]

d'oh!!!!

raise some hell!
and never hesitate to open boxes and check out your parts before you pay.

[Paul_]

i agree. if i a parts store has a problem with you inspectincg the merchandise , especially a safety item like tie-rods. run away

[gadget73]

I think I got mine for like $24 each, but I'm not pleased with them. Less than a year old and one of the dust boots is split. Spicer brand. Not impressed.

When I rebuild the front end I'm going to replace them and the sleeves, along with the pitman arm, idler arm and drag link just so everything under there will be new. I might do the steering box at this time too if we can nail down the specifics on use of a newer PI steering gear on a box.

found this for ya
http://www.p71interceptor.com/steeri...rtnumbers.html

I've seen that before, it says the input shafts are different, so the challenge is going to be finding out how to mate the parts. I have to look under the hood of a new one, but I'm thinking mate it at the universal joint in the shaft, or cut/weld the shafts together. There must be a way, the trick is finding it.

And I'm also 100% for inspecting parts before walking out of the store. I've never had bad parts given to me, but constantly I get handed the wrong parts.

[mrltd]

Hasn't Scott done that upgrade already? You need the whole shaft up the the column. Should be slide in. Not positive about it though.

[1BADMERC]

I'd do both even though that one doesnt look bad.
When the time comes to do one of mine, I plan to replace all 4 (inner and outer) with new sleves as well.

GOOD idea. This will make the job easier. Counting the turns isn't really necessary. You'll do a much better job by removing one side, and then assembling the sleeves/ends so that they match up to the old assembly as close as possible by eye. I put the new one right up to the old one and got it almost exact.
BTW, I know what a "drag link" is.....are you referrring to a pitman arm as a drag link?


Good Day

[gadget73]

Drag link is that big bar between the pitman arm and the idler arm. Both tie rods attach to it. Its also called a center link, which is probably the correct name.

Hasn't Scott done that upgrade already? You need the whole shaft up the the column. Should be slide in. Not positive about it though.

Not yet, but my car might be the guinea pig. My steering box randomly makes strange noises, and it had a lot of slop when I got it. I got most of it out by tweaking the preload adjustment on top of the box, but from what everyone tells me, if you have to touch that adjustment, the box is pretty much fried. It steers smooth with no binding but the seal on the bottom is leaking, and I'd rather not have it decide to shit the bed on me because I pushed my luck too far.

[monterey1962]

Got the new tie rod ends and sleeves on today.

The old tie rod ends were loose enough in the joint that I could moved them with my hands while they were on the car. The new ones are pretty tight. I can't move them at all with my hands while they are on the car. Are they supposed to be snugged up like that? The boots on the outside tie rod ends are a bit squished. Is that normal? The bolts are tightened down snug and are only down as far as they should be.

She goes in first thing Monday morning for a wheel alignment.

[Lincolnmania]

The boots on the outside tie rod ends are a bit squished. Is that normal? The bolts are tightened down snug and are only down as far as they should be.

this is normal mang.......make sure to grease the shit out of everything