Quick question, I still have the stock front-end in my 55, and need to change the tie rod ends as they are shot to crap. I noticed that the tie rod has a bend / curve in it, is that normal for this truck or is mine bent, when I look at replacements, they look straight.


thanks

 

Nope they are supposed to be straight. There are a multitude of things that could have bent it over the years. Mine was bent and I just replaced it with one from midfifty. They are much more sturdy.

I'm sure you could straighten yours if you need too. The important thing is to have everything aligned.

 

okay thanks, I will just get a new one from mid fifties, they are only 50 bucks. If it's supposed to be straight, then mine is bent pretty good , so something in the past 60 years must have bent it.


thanks.

 

The tie rod on the 53-56 was the weak link int he OEM front end. A hollow tube it bends easily. Many are bent from a number of reasons. Once bent. they bend even easier, knocking the front end out of alignment. The HD tie rod from MF is a significant upgrade, do it.
Have you checked the condition of the kingpins, spring eye bushings and shackle pins, draglink ends and ball connectors as well as the wear on the steering box?
See post # 11 in this topic: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...licks-etc.html

When looking for information here, the advanced search function is your friend, but is somewhat hidden. To use:
At the top of each page is a dark blue band just below the red white and blue "Club Ford Truck" logo The words in that band are actually tabs you can click on.
Click on search in the center of that bar. A drop down menu will appear. click on advanced search at the bottom of the menu. A search dialog page will open.
put in the term(s) you want to search on, you can also select a date range, posts by a specific user's name, and very important to select this forum as the forum(s) to search. To find my post I linked to above, you could have put in steering, any date range, my user name (AXracer) and this forum (48-56 F1. F100 and larger...) you would also get a number of other posts I have made with "steering" in the subject and/or body of the post, so you might narrow down the search term(s).

 

Ax has good advice. I still have the straight axle front end but installed a Mo-drop straight axle to drop the front 3 inches. With the straight axle front ends, you'll find all kinds of areas that are loose, worn or need replacing. When I replaced my axle, it seems like more than half the front components had play in them. I guess after so many years of road abuse, something's got a wear out? I also replaced the tie rod bar on mine, definitely much heavier duty than the stock.