Hot Rods Steering help

I have a 31 Ford roadster with a reverse corvair steering box . My steering has been getting looser and looser . I believe my problem is I’m using a tie rod end at the pitman arm . There is quite a bit of play with the tie rod pin tilting forward instead of swiveling in the socket. Am I better off using a heim joint in its place if so what what do you recommend or is there a better solution?


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

I always use tie rod ends because I like to be able to grease the steering connections. If the tie rod end is the right size and fully engaged in the taper on the pitman arm, there shouldn't be play like you describe. Pictures might help. What front end are you using?

 

Stock front axle


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Maybe it’s just time to replace the tie rod end


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Can you do a pic of this "tilting, instead of swiveling" before you start swapping parts . Like Mike also asked for pics, so maybe we can tell if things are, or are not, lined up correctly when the car was built?

What I mean is, if the angle is too severe, then the rod end might be getting over-extended, which can cause it to pop apart if the wear gets excessive.

 

I’ll try to get some pictures soon but is hard to with the rubber cover on the tie rod end


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Take it apart, figure out what is going on.

 

Take a few pictures of the pitman arm and drag link as they are....

 

Have someone wiggle the steering wheel back and forth, and you see if there is play somewhere. It's usually pretty easy to spot, one part moves, the other stays still.

 

And that's why you ask these guys. ^^ Diagnostics that cost nada, and are a baseline start. The KISS principle. ( keep it simple, stupid)

 

There is movement at the pitman arm tie rod end


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

then either the nut it loose (and/or the taper is bad), or the end is worn out.

 

Sounds like you need to either tighten it or replace it.

Doh! Squirrel beat me to it.

 

here is the picture , I righted the nut about a 1/4 turn but that was all it had.


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Does the nut bottom out before it pulls the tierod end tight?

 

I’m not sure I’ll probably just replace it anyway


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

What really would like to know is a heim joint a better option if I can get a greaseable one?


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

No.

 

Causes:

1_ wrong tie rod, 2_ tie rod ran loose wearing hole in pitman arm, 3_ someone drilled pitman arm straight to take a bolt and heim joint.

Put a couple large washers between tie rod nut and pitman arm and tighten and see if play disappears. At least you'll be able to find any other play.

 

No.

 

Take the fucking thing apart, and figure out what the fucking problem is.

 

now yer talkin'

 

Then go out in the yard, curse, and throw the bad part through your truck windshield. ( by accident) I actually did that once! Lol


Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

I did that once too many years ago. Expensive lesson learned.


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

So I made an adjustment on the steering box and tightened the tie rod end . Took it out today and 85% better


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Go for a minimum of 100%
Keep checking!