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Straighten tie rod?
Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:53 pm
by Bruce Berger
Does anyone know of any good tricks for straightening a bent tie rod?
I bent it running Gold Mountain in Big Bear last Friday. The same rock also put a small dent in my heat exchanger and a hole in the muffler (to go along with the ones that were already there
).
Is there an effective way to straighten the tie rod or will I need to replace it?
BTW - If anyone is wondering about the aluminium panel, it's the chin plate for the bumper I got from Andre off of the Croatia trophy truck.
http://www.oausa.net/forums/download/file.php?id=1398
Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:06 am
by Foz
Ya I did that... suggest you cut it off replace with a straight one. Such cost me about $75 as I recall... why mess around with a wonky steering component?
Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:40 pm
by Andre
I cheat. I use a hydralic jack against the peak of the bent tie rod and press it back to straight. no heat needed. you can also remove it and take it down to a shop with a good bearing press and they can get it straight.
If this is done to many times. then it would be wise to follow the previous suggestion.
Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 7:01 pm
by undysworld
I just bent mine at the Treffen here in Wis.
I used a harbor freight tubing bender. The big orange one they sell with the jack in it. Worked excellently. I did have to remove it from the truck. The new OTC tie rod tool worked great. Someone posted it on here for 45$, (which was way less than I paid).
I saw no sense in buying a new one, unless this subsequently fails...
Paul
Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 12:09 am
by Andre
you could have done it without removing it from the truck if you could rotate it into position to still use the ram. I have used a porta power and a shot of chain or heavy duty ratchet strap and done the same thing.
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2009 11:15 pm
by Bruce Berger
I've been looking for an excuse to get a press. Now I have one
Thanks for the input.
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 3:58 pm
by Erik712m
Bruce, Saw your youtube uploads looks nice I like your bumper. Are you running EFI know?
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:42 pm
by Bruce Berger
Unfortunately I still don't have the EFI installed. I've been working on it but progress has been slow. I built up a panel to mount behind the driver's seat with the EFI computer, wiring blocks, relays, and fuses. I also have the wiring harness installed The next step will be to terminate the wires with the correct connectors for the sensors.
As you may have noticed from the YouTube videos, I also need a new muffler which will go on as part of the EFI upgrade.
Currently, I'm shooting to have the EFI installed before the Calico Mogfest in October.