Starting from Scratch on Steering linkage

[Jim S.]

Upon removing my old tie rods and counting rotations ,in an attempt to keep it close to how it was when removed , they seemed to be all over the board ! One side had as little as 22 and 26 turns, while the other side had 32 and 28 turns . Seemed like a lot of Bubbaizing went on .

So now my new question is this ; Given a total restoration is starting from scratch , Shouldn't I just do the same with the tie rods ? By that I mean screw each tie rod end in as far as it will go , attach them to the Chassis, and work outward as needed ?

The Chassis Service Manual only states that if replacing tie rod ends "make sure each end is inserted at the same length into the rod." It does not say anything about how far. So is ther any problem with doing it as discussed above ? Ie. all the way in on both ends and equidistant on both ends with no staggering of the ends?

How did they do it originally at he Assembly line ?


Thanks for your time ,

JIm

[Joe L.]

Re: Starting from Scratch on Steering linkage

Upon removing my old tie rods and counting rotations ,in an attempt to keep it close to how it was when removed , they seemed to be all over the board ! One side had as little as 22 and 26 turns, while the other side had 32 and 28 turns . Seemed like a lot of Bubbaizing went on .

So now my new question is this ; Given a total restoration is starting from scratch , Shouldn't I just do the same with the tie rods ? By that I mean screw each tie rod end in as far as it will go , attach them to the Chassis, and work outward as needed ?

The Chassis Service Manual only states that if replacing tie rod ends "make sure each end is inserted at the same length into the rod." It does not say anything about how far. So is ther any problem with doing it as discussed above ? Ie. all the way in on both ends and equidistant on both ends with no staggering of the ends?

How did they do it originally at he Assembly line ?


Thanks for your time ,

JIm

Jim------


The steering linkage was not assembled at St. Louis. The complete assembly, manufactured at Chevrolet-Buffalo, was installed at St. Louis and final adjustment was done after the car was pretty much complete and wheels on the ground.

If you screw the tie rod ends in as far as they will go, you will not be able to install them at both ends on the car.

My suggestion is to get both wheels as close as you can get to zero toe and set the steering wheel to the exact centered position. Then, screw the tie rods into the sleeves as far as they will go. Next, back out EACH tie rod end 5 turns EACH until, with the ball studs exactly perpendicular to the shaft of the tie rod end, the ball studs fit into the tapered seats in the steering arm and relay rod without causing either the steering arm or relay rod to move. As you get closer to the correct length you will have to reduce the number of turns out so that you don't "overshoot". Do the same thing on both sides. Done. Let the alignment shop do the final adjustment.

[Jim S.]

Re: Starting from Scratch on Steering linkage

"My suggestion is to get both wheels as close as you can get to zero toe and set the steering wheel to the exact centered position."

Hi Joe ,

What steering Wheel ? The enclosed Photo shows my entire state of progress to date .

I was just trying to put the linkage on the way it came off , Until it dawned on me that , Rehabed A-Arms , New bussings , bearings , etc. etc. meant I might as well start from " Scratch"! I will use the method you describe (Sans Steering Wheel ) And let the pro's have the rest .

By the way Please read my remarks at the end of my Starer post !


Thanks ,

JIm

[Jim S.]

Re: Starting from Scratch on Steering linkage

Jim------


The steering linkage was not assembled at St. Louis. The complete assembly, manufactured at Chevrolet-Buffalo, was installed at St. Louis and final adjustment was done after the car was pretty much complete and wheels on the ground.

If you screw the tie rod ends in as far as they will go, you will not be able to install them at both ends on the car.

My suggestion is to get both wheels as close as you can get to zero toe and set the steering wheel to the exact centered position. Then, screw the tie rods into the sleeves as far as they will go. Next, back out EACH tie rod end 5 turns EACH until, with the ball studs exactly perpendicular to the shaft of the tie rod end, the ball studs fit into the tapered seats in the steering arm and relay rod without causing either the steering arm or relay rod to move. As you get closer to the correct length you will have to reduce the number of turns out so that you don't "overshoot". Do the same thing on both sides. Done. Let the alignment shop do the final adjustment.

Following Joe's advice , and that of the Service Chassis Manual , all tie rod ends should be screwed in to the same length upon instalation .... Has anyone ever screwed out one end more than the other to get a more perfect fit ? (Ie. All the tie rod ball studs pefectly perpendicular to their attachment points) Or is that asking for problems down the road and or being too nit-pickey ?

It seems to me that now would be the time to do so if it is not Verboten !

Jim

[John H.]

Re: Starting from Scratch on Steering linkage

Following Joe's advice , and that of the Service Chassis Manual , all tie rod ends should be screwed in to the same length upon instalation .... Has anyone ever screwed out one end more than the other to get a more perfect fit ?

Jim -

Center the steering gear input shaft (mark at 12 o'clock when centered); turn the shaft all the way to the right, then all the way to the left (count the turns to go full travel), then turn it back half that number of turns to the right to center it.

Connect relay rod to the pitman arm and idler arm (idler arm bolted to the frame).

Set front tires straight ahead (measure cross-car at front and rear of treads for the same dimension).

Thread tie rod ends into sleeves about 5-6 turns.

Install inner tie rod ends to relay rod.

Holding outer tie rod end with stud facing downward, rotate tie rod sleeve until stud drops into the hole in the steering arm and install nut. Repeat on the other side.

That will get you close enough to drive to the alignment shop.

[Jim S.]

Re: Starting from Scratch on Steering linkage

Jim -

Center the steering gear input shaft (mark at 12 o'clock when centered); turn the shaft all the way to the right, then all the way to the left (count the turns to go full travel), then turn it back half that number of turns to the right to center it.

Connect relay rod to the pitman arm and idler arm (idler arm bolted to the frame).

Set front tires straight ahead (measure cross-car at front and rear of treads for the same dimension).

Thread tie rod ends into sleeves about 5-6 turns.

Install inner tie rod ends to relay rod.

Holding outer tie rod end with stud facing downward, rotate tie rod sleeve until stud drops into the hole in the steering arm and install nut. Repeat on the other side.

That will get you close enough to drive to the alignment shop.

Hi John,

Now thats as clear an explanation as I have ever seen ! I know because even I get it !

Thanks much,

Jim