Tie rod question

mkmskm

mkmskm

Senior Member
I was aligning my car today and noticed as I turned the tie rod its got a bit of a bow, not tons about 1/8" as measured in the middle. Since its fixed down once the ends are tightened is that going to cause any issues, is it worth replacing? The steering is nice and tight.
 
you can straighten it easily by hand using a vice, your arms and a good eye for straight. You will have to re-align the toe in afterwards.
 
the trouble with any straight piece of metal with a bow in it ,it will just get worse over time and with use, if you have a new one i would replace it, if not go with the one you have and just keep an eye on your alighnment
 
Every original tie rod I've seen has been hollow and is easy to straighten.
I've also seen replacements that are solid.
 
ford3 said:
the trouble with any straight piece of metal with a bow in it ,it will just get worse over time and with use, if you have a new one i would replace it, if not go with the one you have and just keep an eye on your alighnment
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Theoretically, yes. However it takes far more force than excessive toe-in to add to a 1/4" bow! That slight bow would make it slightly more susceptible to increased distortion from bumping curbs and other similar outside pressures. The greater the bow, and even worse a fixed point bend, the weaker the rod and more susceptible to outside forces it will be.
 
My eye isn't that good so I would take a 2 X 4 and cut it just shorter than the length between the adjusting bolts. Then rip a 45 degree V about 1/2" deep. when you then lay your tie rod on it you will be able see where it needs correcting.
 
Ross/Kzoo said:
My eye isn't that good so I would take a 2 X 4 and cut it just shorter than the length between the adjusting bolts. Then rip a 45 degree V about 1/2" deep. when you then lay your tie rod on it you will be able see where it needs correcting.
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Most 2 X 4s I have seen are not as straight than the tie rod.

Paul
 
I used my vise partly open with a towel to hold in like a V and it bent back to straight. I wonder why they were hollow, I think it would have been easier to just thread a solid rod.
 
55 Years ago, I used to hang around a Welding-Machine Shop, and learned a lot of Tricks of the Trade. Most of the Machinery was powered by overhead Belt System down to the Tool being used. Powered by 1 large Electric Motor, each Lathe, Drill press, Grinders, Power Hacksaw etc. had a Clutch to engage, with a large Lever to the overhead Belt to run each machine.

An old time Machinist showed me how check for Straightness of Axles, and Round Bars such as a Tie Rod. They had lengths of Angle Iron that were Known to be Straight, and were checked often by using a Master Straight Edge. They varied in size from 1/4 in to 4in.

If a Tie Rod was to be checked they would use a piece of 3/4 or 1 in, you could see where it was bent by looking down the side of the angle over the top. To straighten a Tie Rod or Axle, some were done Cold, some they would heat it in Coal Fire, then into a Vise with 16 in Straightening Jaws. If the pieces need to be Hardened they used Water and or Oil bath.

Here is a link to a video to a Old Time Over Head Belt System, similar to the one I hung around at.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CE-j7TEVX2U
 
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1/8" is nothing, don't worry about it. When I was a truck mechanic we straightened them while still on the truck, so they only got "close-enough", and they worked just fine. The one on my widebed is at least a 1/4" out, and has been for years, no tire wear!
 
Someone must have tried to tow my A by connecting to the tie rod. It was bent obout 4" from straight. I straightened it on the vehicle with a bottle jack and wood blocks. It turned out pretty good. I cannot see how 1/4 inch or even more is going to make a bit of difference. I would say if you are worried about the tie rod breaking or bending under normal use, you have too few REAL things to worry about. Take off a few of the lugs nuts on a front wheel and drive down a curvy road at 60mph, you'll be thinking about that wheel so hard you won't even remember the tie rod!!! Just a joke, take it that way.
 
You could try turning it so the bow is down, put a jack under it at the low spot and push it up. Might be easier then getting it off under the car.
 
redmodelt, Thats what I did except used wood blocks on each side of the bend so I didn't get a "s". Mine is nice and straight now.
 
If the tie rod gets bent after the toe in was set, it will cause the toe in to be off the amount that the tie rod is bent. I have straightened bent tie rods and brake rods with a large anvil and a two pound hammer. Place the part on the flat area on top of the anvil and hammer the the high point down. You can roll the tie rod on the flat of the anvil and it will show if the tie rod is straight. It is probably best to just replace the tie rod.
 
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