Hot Rods using tie rods as suspension links

Anybody here ever use tie rods as suspension links instead of heim joints? I have a bunch of class 8 truck tie rods I'd like to use as suspension links...

 

LOOK AT PICTURES ..

 

A tie rod end isn’t designed to support any weight. Don’t use them for this purpose if you value your life.

 

I think he means tie rod ends. Yes it is done all the time. The standard 40-48 ends are common on split wishbones, but the slightly bigger ones from 50’s bigger trucks are a good choice too.

 

Yes sir. HRP

 

I mean tie rod ends.

 

My tie rods would be in tension in my application.

 

by "In Tension" what do you mean? like in a triangulated or parallel four link?

 

Parallel four link. The leaf spring will be the bottom link and the tie rod will be the top link.

 

Yes


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Got a photo, I can't visualize this setup. HRP

 

Are you talking about what most people call " Traction Bars" ?

 

Load on tie rods - Front are in compression and rear are in extension when being driven. I gather that majority of load is static when car sitting however there would be some load there due to suspension being loaded with weight and cycle slightly when driving?

 

I made some 'traction Masters' for my '51 Olds coupe...I used '53 Stude tie rod ends, worked great...if a 'little' rigid.
Fremont drags a month or so later, I came blazing out of the lights, when the dual range hydro (B&M kit) grabbed second, the drivers side front tie rod end came out of the socket, Olds got an instant 'crutch', and over-centered the left traction bar! Wheee!
Got waaaay outa shape, but back under control...
I changed the bars to tubing 'eyes', and '50 Ford pickup tapered rubber shock bushings.
The 'soft' attachments forgave the 'shock' of the B&M shift. Hey! 'SHOCK' mounts!
Hey Moe, hey Larry! HEY... I was 20. (hard lesson: I used tie rod ends for everything, just like Ivo & Norm)

 

Sounds like 1/4 elliptics as the lower link with tie rod as the upper.

 

Sweet. Perfect. If someone wants to build a "Hot Rod", they need to study this picture.

 

'Textbook example'. Gospel.

 

I'm sorry, but that makes no sense. The tie rod connects left steering arm to right steering arm, not the axle to the chassis.

 

Part of building a hot rod is re-purposing parts.

 

Class 8 tie rod ends are humongous, just saying.

 

Still doesn't explain what he's trying to accomplish.

 

do those have about a 7/8" thread size?

 

This is my experience using them. Lower rear radius rod mounts of triangulated 4-bar. I found them to be in serious compression dumping the clutch in 2nd after tires were warmed up but on a side note I'm running 33/19.5's. making new brackets now to get through the summer before going double shear this winter

 

Looks like Fred had a bracket failure, not a rod end failure.

 

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Installed years ago heavy duty 7/8 studs grease regular


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Yes, it was a bracket failure but was just showing the weakness of single shear and that it is in compression when under power.

 

How are you going to be using these? Suspension components will experience loading in both tension and compression, even in a parallel 4-bar design.

When driving, both sets of radius rods will experience a compressive load. The rear axle will drive its radius rod forward into the frame. The frame will subsequently drive the front axle's radius rod forward into the axle. This would be a compressive load. When the car is stopped, the loading on the rear radius rods will reverse as the momentum of the car tries to pull the radius rod out of the rear axle. That would be a tensile load.