tie rod rubbing

[shark 81]

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what has caused this ? the tie rod seams to be slightly bent and is rubbing the drag link. Is this fatal for the tie rod ? or just straiten it.
drives fine as is everything seams ok and nothing loose.
just rubs a bit.

 

[SeaSlugs]

thats got 2 bends in it - im sure it could be straightened but how did it happen?

drag link could be too low from a steering arm being bent down or possibly bent frame, could also be weak/broken front spring worn shackles etc...

 

[Y-Blockhead]

View attachment 315504[/ATTACH]


what has caused this ? the tie rod seams to be slightly bent and is rubbing the drag link. Is this fatal for the tie rod ? or just straiten it.
drives fine as is everything seams ok and nothing loose.
just rubs a bit.

You could try straightening it but tie rods are relatively cheap~ $15 @ Snyder's.

 

[Patrick L.]

If any changes are made to the tie-rod, toe-in should be checked.

 

[Y-Blockhead]

If any changes are made to the tie-rod, toe-in should be checked.

We can be reasonably sure his toe-in is off with a bent tie rod, unless the toe-in was set with the tie rod already bent??

 

[1955cj5]

My tie rod had been rubbing at some point. The gap between the drag link and tie rod was very close. Replacing the front spring helped but what really made a difference was replacing the drivers side steering arm.....along with a new tie rod....

 

[Brentwood Bob]

Something is bent.

 

[Fullraceflathead]

Get a new one from Snyder's or other parts house.
The one I bought from Snyder's was solid not flexible hollow like the original.

 

[SteveB31]

your front spring is sagged. Replace the spring- problem solved

Steve @ bert's

 

[redmodelt]

I think there is more to the issue then a saggy spring.

 

[1955cj5]

The tie rod can rub on the drag link if the front spring is too soft...that's where mine was rubbing

 

[redmodelt]

LOL you posted at the same time I was correcting my post.

 

[1955cj5]

haha...but I think you are right, it's more than just a saggy spring....

 

[Brian in Wheeling]

ASaggyspring will cause the parts to rub...but won't put an S bend in the tie rod! I'd just find a better, or new one and also change the spring as well as SteveB31 suggested. I had to change the front spring on my 29tudor to solve a rub.
Brian w.

 

[updraught]

But ... a shorter pitman arm would:

Raise the drag link
Stop the rubbing
Make for easier steering

And allow for that sporty low suspension ?

 

[Synchro909]

But ... a shorter pitman arm would:

Raise the drag link
Stop the rubbing
Make for easier steering

And allow for that sporty low suspension ?

That all sounds good but the shortened pitman arm is only 1 1/2" shorter and the rub happens right up the front. Raising the back of the drag link by 1 1/2" won't make much difference where it crosses the tie rod.
By how much does the end of the drag link clear the brake arm that goes into the top of the brake. If it is more than it should be, the top steering arm might be bent down. Hard to figure how that could happen but strange $#!T happens over nearly 90 years. Also check the height of the front bumper off the ground on a level surface. That will tell you if the spring has sagged. I had one reset a while ago and what a difference.

 

[updraught]

Swap the tie rod end for end and it will only be a problem on RHD cars then.

 

[shark 81]

a new tie rod will be ordered. I will address the springs if the new rod rubs. when I got the car it had big fat 8"wide tires on modern wheels. I suspect that it may have led to the bends .
thanks everyone !

Lane

 

[Brentwood Bob]

Spindle arm can also be bent.

 

[larrys40]

your front spring is sagged. Replace the spring- problem solved

Steve @ bert's

I agree the tie rod seems to be bent... but I'll bet your spring like Steve says is sagging as well. Look at the car from the front. If you can't see 1/2 to all of the axle under the front radiator apron standing in front of the car a few paces then the front spring is sagged. We see this all the time and it's amazing how many bad springs there are on "restored" cars. looking at the spring I don't see spring leaves where they should be indicating the spring is weaker than it should be or someone removed leaves to "lower" it.
(see my last paragraph).

Do yourself a favor and remove the tie rod assembly as a unit, undoing the front nuts on the front of the spindle on each side. Back the nut off till flush and use a long large brass drift punch and hammer and knock the arm out of the spindle, and then remove the two arm and of course the steering arm off the sector shaft and the assembly out the drivers side.
You can then service properly the steering arms checking them out as well as replacing the bent tie rod. If the balls are ovalled replace the arms and install a steer eze kit. once installed and all work done do a proper toe in set.

There are many drag links that have flat spots on them from rubbing the tie rod and trust me.... they are NOT from bent tie rods typically.. they are from sagging springs.

Larry Shepard