Tie rod replacement

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Aug 14, 2006 | 09:32 PM

Davepig

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Tie rod replacement

Hello all. I just purchased a 1979 f-250 4x4 longbed, and have started to fix some of the mechanical problems. I tried to replace the tie rod linkage from the pitman arm to the drivers side steering knuckle (the one with the adjuster in the middle of it) and ran into a problem with the auto stores not carrying the parts. Their books did not even show my particular steering set-up and they seemed confused when I would explain it to them.

I did do a search on the forum to see if this was already talked about but came up empty-handed, unless I just did not enter the search criteria correctly.

Any information on this design and where I may be able to purchase the parts?

Aug 14, 2006 | 09:41 PM

460 Crew

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From: at my house

Check jeffs bronco graveyard. http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-..._drag_link.htm

If yours is adjustable it may be an aftermarket deal. I have and adjustable one in storage if you come up short. Also if you have a lift Skyjacker and Superlift carry a 4in drop draglinks that are adjustable.

Last edited by 460 Crew; Aug 14, 2006 at 09:47 PM.

Aug 14, 2006 | 09:41 PM

LxMan1

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From: Louisville,Ky.

Welcome to the forum. Hopefully, someone will chime in soon that has run into this situation.
Did you look at 77 and 79 to see if it was a carryover?

Aug 14, 2006 | 10:14 PM

Davepig

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Quote:

Originally Posted by LxMan1

Welcome to the forum. Hopefully, someone will chime in soon that has run into this situation.
Did you look at 77 and 79 to see if it was a carryover?

Well, I couldn't find anything in any of the other years either. There is the possibility that the tie-rod set up is aftermarket as 460 Crew mentioned.

Currently, there is a drag link that goes from the passenger side to the drivers side with the tie-rod end on the drivers side. The pitman arm does look like a drop type for lift kits. There is nothing attached to the drivers side steering knuckle except this adjustable linkage between it and the pitman arm

From what I can gather, one of the former owners must have took the back springs off and installed them on the front, then went about making his own set of back springs to height. It's up in the air quite a bit.

It rides like a freaking rock gents, heh, but I will change that here shortly.

If it is aftermarket, what parts were removed, or better yet I should say, what am I suppose to have there? The repair manuals seem sparse on this.

Aug 14, 2006 | 10:34 PM

460 Crew

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Does your draglink drop at all like the one pictured here? http://www.ntwonline.com/acb/showdet...=1373&CATID=27 Or is it straight? The stock one is just a straight rod with 2 solid mounted balljoints. What kind of angle is that rod at right now? Should be pretty level unless they lifted it and didn't add a steering knuckle block or lift arm, or just gotten by with the drop pitman arm with a 2-4in lift.

I have pics of a stock setup on my 77.5 same as the 79 in my gallery if you want to take a look for refrence.

Aug 14, 2006 | 10:55 PM

Davepig

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 460 Crew

Does your draglink drop at all like the one pictured here? http://www.ntwonline.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=48&Product_ID=1373&CATID=27 Or is it straight? The stock one is just a straight rod with 2 solid mounted balljoints. What kind of angle is that rod at right now? Should be pretty level unless they lifted it and didn't add a steering knuckle block or lift arm, or just gotten by with the drop pitman arm with a 2-4in lift.

I have pics of a stock setup on my 77.5 same as the 79 in my gallery if you want to take a look for refrence.

Ok, went out and looked at it in reference to what you posted. It does not have the drop bend like in the picture you posted, it is a straight arm but not one piece, it is two tie-rod ends with an adjuster in the middle. It is at a 5 degree slop or so towards the rear of the truck.

Btw, thanks for the help!