Tie rod ends backwords?

ped58

ped58

Senior Member
Well...... I felt really good about myself for having the original steering arms rebuilt along with new tie rod end parts. I was all set to align the front end
when I thought I would look at the "Ford Service Bulletin" on alignment.
It says....When reinstalling tie rod ends...."Be sure the clamp bolts face the rear of the car, and that both ends engage the rod at nearly the same time". Well.....the tie rod end bolts face the FRONT of the car, this is how it was when I started the work, so I put it back the way it was.

The question is...should I leave it the way it is or should I take it apart and have the clamp bolts facing the back of the car......thanks
 
It all depends on how "correct" you want your car. As I'm a little bit 'anal-retentive' (or just plan "Anal", as my wife would say) about things. It probably would bother me until I had a chance to change it. :p:p
 
Last edited:
ped58 said:
Well...... I felt really good about myself for having the original steering arms rebuilt along with new tie rod end parts. I was all set to align the front end
when I thought I would look at the "Ford Service Bulletin" on alignment.
It says....When reinstalling tie rod ends...."Be sure the clamp bolts face the rear of the car, and that both ends engage the rod at nearly the same time". Well.....the tie rod end bolts face the FRONT of the car, this is how it was when I started the work, so I put it back the way it was.

The question is...should I leave it the way it is or should I take it apart and have the clamp bolts facing the back of the car......thanks
Click to expand...

If it was me I would go ahead and do it right. It does make difference when adjusting the toe in. You will have to turn it the wrong way to adjust the toe in. That might not matter if you do not know which way to turn it. But if you take it to some one to do it for you they will know which way it should turn.

In the end to many things done wrong make for a problem Model A. But it is your car and you are free to do it as you please.

After reading it again I'm not sure if you mean the tie rods are on the wrong side or if the bolts are in back words. Either way I would fix it.
 
Last edited:
I'm working on the same items and you made me go look . I hope this is right .
 

Attachments

  • P8182958.jpg
    P8182958.jpg
    49.3 KB · Views: 188
My '30 car has the tie-rod bolts at the rear. When working under the car with a vise-grip on the tie-rod and the vise-grip handle pointing to the rear, pushing the vise-grip handle up increases the toe-in, and pulling it down decreases the toe-in.

I estimate very roughly that one full turn on the tie-rod changes the toe-in about 3/16 inch.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top