C-3 tie rod question

[Tom Sarno]

When I went to purchase new tie rod ends for my '74, the parts store asked if it was a small block or a big block but did not ask if it was manual or power steering. What is the difference in small or big block tie rod ends? When I removed the old ends there was a right hand threaded end in the left hand threaded side of the sleeve. I had to grind the adjusting sleeve to get it out. I know that this car was put together wrong so I can't go by the way it can apart for a guide for reassembly.

Do you use the holes closer to the ball joints on a car with power steering? Are the left hand threaded ends used for the outer right (passenger side) and the inner left (driver side)?

Thanks for the help?
Tom S

[Joe L.]

Re: C-3 tie rod question

Tom-----

There was no difference, whatsoever, between the tie rod ends used for big blocks and small blocks. In fact, the same tie rod ends were used for all 1963-1982 Corvettes.

The tie rod ends had left hand and right hand threads and similar female threads were provided on either end of the tie rod sleeves. There is considerable disagreement regarding how the tie rod ends were originally installed. GM says that the outer tie rod ends for both sides were the right hand threaded pieces. These tie rod ends were of GM #3826814 and, sometimes, have a duab of yellow paint on the socket forging. GM also says that the inner tie rod ends for both sides were the left-hand threaded pieces. These were of GM #3826596 and sometimes have a daub of blue paint on the tie road socket. Some folks say that the left hand threads (blue) were installed on the outer positions and the right hand threaded (yellow) were installed on the inner positions. Either way (or, even, the way that you described) is completely functional. The only thing that changes is the direction of turning of the sleeve which causes the assembly to extend or retract.

The position of the outer tie rod end with respect to the steering arm for cars equipped with power steering is the INNER hole (the hole closest the steering knuckle).

[Tom Sarno]

Thanks again Joe *NM*