Tie rod safety

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Justin
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Tie rod safety

Post by Justin »

I'm finishing up a disc swap using '78 Bronco knuckles. Just got my knuckles reamed (for tie rod over) and the tie rod reinstalled. I've now got a bunch of toe in and am not sure how much I can adjust out. I'm using a 1.5" DOM tie rod with welded inserts and 1 ton GM rod ends. How much thread can I safely have showing to get the alignment back to where it should be? I've got about 1/2 inch of thread showing on one side and only a few threads showing on the other, so I've got some room to work with, just don't know how much I can adjust this and still be safe. Not sure exactly how much it's out, as I'm not convinced I'm getting an accurate measurement off the discs (currently looking like at least 1/2" of toe in).
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ZOSO
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Re: Tie rod safety

Post by ZOSO »

If you only have a few threads showing dont worry about it. Those tie rods have about 2 inches of threads. Crank it out till the alignment is correct.

I take the wheels off and use a straight edge along the wheel flange between lug nuts and measure front and back. i believe you'll want about 1/8" toe in.
Rob

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Jesus_man
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Re: Tie rod safety

Post by Jesus_man »

You'll probably be fine. Just make sure they are even side to side so they have the same amount of threads (and strength). If you are measuring at the discs, you can probably go with 1/16" toe-in. Just zip a lug nut down on the disc to keep it from wobbling.

J.D.
1973 Bronco, 351 SEFI, Locked, discs, 35's ZF-5spd and Atlas 4spd. 235:1 Crawl Ratio. It may be ugly, but it's slow.
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Re: Tie rod safety

Post by Viperwolf1 »

You can always unscrew the ends to see how much adjustability there is. Should be plenty. Then make the threads even on both sides.
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Justin
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Re: Tie rod safety

Post by Justin »

Cool, thanks everyone. I'll even them out this evening and then finalize things once I can do a proper alignment.
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