New Tie Rod Hitting Spring

Hi,

I've searched all afternoon for the answer to this, but I couldn't find it.

I just installed a 1-peice knuckle to knuckle tie rod with a new double tie rod end on the passenger side (tie rod end with a hole cast in it for the rod from the bell crank).

My problem is that my new tie rod hits my spring when I try to turn all the way to the left. It's the large cast part that the other tie rod end connects to that is hitting.

I've seen others with this same set up, so I'm wondering how did you get around this? Shim the front axle (that's what I'm thinking), change tie rod ends (any others out there that work better), or just live with it (not me)?

I'm slowly gathering parts to do a saginaw swap, and one of my stock tie rods got pretty mangled when it encountered a stump, so going back is not an option that I'm thinking of right now.

Any input is appreciated

Thanks,

Jon

 

You need to get some caster shims to be widen the gap between the spings and the tie rod ends.

I have the same problem on my 48 cj2a and I got some from http://www.suspensionconnection.com/cgi-bin/suscon/90015.html

 

Try SnapOn #R121.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...4&group_ID=946&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

Thanks guys.

I like the idea of flipping the tie rods. I think that's what I'll do.

I seem to remember a thread about drilling the knuckle arms, then pressing in a tapered insert. Which do you think would be better, to ream or drill & press?

Jon

 

Mine are sitting at the shop right now. The machinist brazed in some bronze, then is going to taper and drill them out to stock size from the top so that I will be able to re-use the TREs. He's charging me $35 per knuckle, so only slightly higher than the cost of buying your own tool.
http://www.earlycj5.com/tech/steering/bumpSteer_files/bump_steer.shtml

 

Cool. But why do I have to use their locknut? Will the insert make the hole in my knuckle too long for me to get the cotter pin back in my stock tie rod?

 

yep, with the added lip on top of the kunckle. no worries thou most newer vechicles use the same type nut to hold their tre's in.

 

Herm uses a spacer between the spring and axle. It is mentioned at the bottom of this page. http://www.hermtheoverdriveguy.com/id120.htm

 

Thanks for all the help guys. I'm going with a spacer for now, since that will be the cheapest, and may make the jeep drive better.

Oh, and after I opened this thread, I did find all the other related threads. If anyone else needs similar info, just search for "insert", and you'll find a lot of good discussions.

Jon