(1962 CJ5) Adjusting tie rods

Hello all,

I have lifted my '62 CJ5 about 4.5 inches, and now I have some serious issues with toe on the front wheels. I loosened the tie rod ends where they sort of clamp down, but I cannot seem to make the tie rod itself loosen very much. Between the two tie rods I definitely need to make them at least 2" longer for each one. Does anybody have any suggestions on elongating the tie rod with damaging anything. (There is no adjustment sleeve on my 1962 CJ5, one has to twist the whole rod). I will probably have to readjust the tires/steering after the springs settle, but for now any info on safely adjusting the tie rods would be very helpful.

Thank you for all your help in advance!

 

What has changed since here? http://www.earlycj5.net/forums/show...-Rods-for-a-5-inch-lift&p=1164703#post1164703

We already discussed replacing your tie rods with a 1-piece setup. I suspect you will have unacceptable bump steer with the two-piece setup at as much of an angle as needed with your lift. If you want to lengthen your two-piece tie rods, you may have to make or have made new tubes. To make new longer tie rods, you will need to buy the right material, the RH and LH tap for each end, and slot each end so that the clamps will grab the TREs.

 

Also the tie rod flip that was mentioned in your post before would help with this problem. It's $20ish well spent. I posted a picture before of my tie rods in your previous post. You can see the ends flipped which allows the stock tie rods to work without extending them. Yet to see how it drives, but I know it all fits together with the stock system.

 

Don't go making anything before you check out what's available here: http://www.willysjeepparts.com/Tie_Rods.htm.

Have you tried Liquid Wrench and waiting ten minutes on the stuck tie rods? A pipe wrench should have no trouble on them then.

[edit: speling]