Tie rods

[rbh]

Need to do lots of work on the old f 350s front end, but I will be doing it in stages, first the tie rods (long one and the two shorter ones).
Can I if very carefull remove the old ones and replace with new (will mark were the tire is and wont move, one at a time)
I have to do king pins next and dont have the time to do all at once, and get a balance.
thanks
rob

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Tie rods

Need to do lots of work on the old f 350s front end, but I will be doing it in stages, first the tie rods (long one and the two shorter ones).
Can I if very carefull remove the old ones and replace with new (will mark were the tire is and wont move, one at a time)
I have to do king pins next and dont have the time to do all at once, and get a balance.
thanks
rob

The easiest way to do it is to measure from the grease nipple to the ajusting caller. For some reason the tires always move. When your done make sure you get a wheel alignment when your all done as it does not need to be out much to burn your tires off and quick.

 

[avenger79]

Re: Tie rods

can you do it that way? yes. will you still need to get an alignment once you get the rest of the work done? absolutely.
should you wait a year in between those two projects you mentioned? no not unless you want to buy a few sets of tires.

i have changed tie rods on an old mustang and didn't take it to get aligned right away. it worked out ok.

measure your tire distances. in front and back of tires, side to side. plus of course measure the tie rods themselves.

if you drive a lot of miles you may want to wait until you save up for the whole project.

 

[slia67]

Re: Tie rods

If you don't drive it much you could look up the toe-in/toe-out specs and measure like Avenger79 mentioned, that's how they used to do it in the old days. But if you do drive it more often, heed PJ's advice and get the alignment done. Becuase you are planning on replacing the kingpins, ask them if they will just do a toe adjustment for a cheaper price now and later after you finish the work have them do the whole thing.

Good luck with it.

 

[Autotech]

Re: Tie rods

Rbh I'll come up there and do the King pins and Tie Rods if you will come down and punch 11 holes in ground for me. Even throw in packing Wheel bearings and brakes job to boot.