Straighten tie rod?

Bruce Berger · Post by **Bruce Berger** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:53 pm

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

Foz · Post by **Foz** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:06 am

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?

Andre · Post by **Andre** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:40 pm

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.

undysworld · Post by **undysworld** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 7:01 pm

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

Andre · Post by **Andre** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 12:09 am

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.

Bruce Berger · Post by **Bruce Berger** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 11:15 pm

I've been looking for an excuse to get a press. Now I have one

Thanks for the input.

Erik712m · Post by **Erik712m** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 3:58 pm

Bruce, Saw your youtube uploads looks nice I like your bumper. Are you running EFI know?

Bruce Berger · Post by **Bruce Berger** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:42 pm

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.