73-87chevytrucks.com

73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => Topic started by: Edemich on April 02, 2015, 10:13:27 pm

Title: 2" Tie Rod?
Post by: Edemich on April 02, 2015, 10:13:27 pm

Anyone seen a setup like this.  The bar is 2" in diameter.  Wondering what size tie rods to get to replace ends and how to hook up a steering stabalizer?

(http://i824.photobucket.com/albums/zz165/edemich/Truck/f56638655c72a67fdde5162823e4b5c1_zpsr8nplyxd.jpg)

Title: Re: 2" Tie Rod?
Post by: Irish_Alley on April 02, 2015, 11:28:08 pm

that looks like a 81-87 ¾ ton tie rod and someone put it on backwards. that short side should be on the passengers side and the long tie rod should be on the drivers side with a eye in it for the steering stabilizer

Title: Re: 2" Tie Rod?
Post by: Edemich on April 03, 2015, 07:52:57 am

Neither side has the eye.  Both sides lookljust like this. Here is the other side.

The tie rod is actually 2" in diameter.  I think the biggest stock was 1.5.

(http://i824.photobucket.com/albums/zz165/edemich/Truck/57fe8a53d6802aec1b18e5538a5d070e_zpsdj3odqan.jpg)

Title: Re: 2" Tie Rod?
Post by: Irish_Alley on April 03, 2015, 08:47:27 am

thats a little odd
(http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m387/rebel_cowboy_83/Diagram/steeringcontrol_zpsp8uqqhoq.png)

Title: Re: 2" Tie Rod?
Post by: Irish_Alley on April 03, 2015, 08:51:41 am

if the tie rods aint bad i would buy http://www.roughcountry.com/steering-stabilizer-87356.html
(http://cdn.roughcountry.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/392x260/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/s/t/steering-stabilizer_87356n2-base.jpg)
 but i dont think the sway bar  u bolts are that big. i would call them up and see what they have.

Title: Re: 2" Tie Rod?
Post by: Edemich on April 08, 2015, 10:17:12 pm

Update:  got the tie rods off.  Holy Biscuits! I had to use a pipe wrench and a long cheater bar! The threads on these things best I can tell are over an inch and at least 20 on the pitch.  Spent a while at Oreilly's with them pulling the biggest tie rods they got and the only one close but slightly bigger was for a 5000 pound truck.

So, I found some Dana 44 knuckles on eBay for 100 bucks shipped.  Ordered them up and will be converting this nightmare back to stock steering.  Crazy!

My current knuckles have been honed and a piece of reinforcing metal welded onto them for these giant tie rods.  Worked for the PO but won't work for me.  Especially since I can't replace them.

Title: Re: 2" Tie Rod?
Post by: enaberif on April 08, 2015, 10:24:13 pm

Flat top knuckles? Best ones to get if you can.