4/18/2024 0 Comments 1963 ford thunderbird tie rodsI also give both front wheels a hearty shake at 12 and 6 and 9 and 3 almost any time the car’s on the jack. It must be said that I own more home alignment equipment than most do-it-yourselfers, and I keep a close eye on that sort of thing. I’ve driven the car in this condition for a couple of years, but I have noticed that the right front tire has had an odd wear pattern on its outer edge. As I previously mentioned, it was no longer frightening to drive, but also not something to which I’d throw a stranger the keys and say, “See what she’ll do!” Therefore, after driving the T-Bird on pins and needles for a year, I replaced the steering box with (two) rebuilds, new solid mounts, and a new rag joint, in addition to replacing many of the suspension components such as ball joints and bushings. It’s usually worse in one direction than another (right in my car’s case), and the steering gear is usually blamed – something along the lines of the spool valve, etc. When referencing a 1961-1964 Thunderbird’s behavior, however, it occurs when a light steering input rewards the driver with a lurid, abrupt lane change that becomes more lurid and abrupt as speed increases. Smokey Yunick, more accustomed to NASCAR Chevelles than slow, heavy cruisers, might scoff and say that oversteer is a loose ass end, or something else comically vulgar. Those who have followed my previous COAL updates on my 1963 Thunderbird may recall my problems (that those in the Thunderbird world label “oversteer”) with the steering system. Unfortunately, we all fall into this trap once in a while, and that statement definitely includes DIY classic car owners and perhaps even the engineering staffs of Big Three automakers. ![]() Shop O'Reilly Auto Parts for the inner or outer tie rods you need, as well as ball joints, complete steering racks, and tie rod service tools for a complete repair.It’s been awhile since I’ve read Smokey Yunick’s entertaining, colorful, and seemingly endless autobiography, but I recall his depreciating those who relied on what he called “cut and try” methods in lieu of analytical thinking and the use of data. If you inspect your tie rods and they are noticeably loose, if their boots are damaged, or if they have begun to separate, you may need to replace the tie rods and get the vehicle properly aligned. Many tie rods also feature grease fittings, and failing to perform regular lubrication maintenance on your tie rods can lead to accelerated wear and premature failure. ![]() A loose or shaky steering wheel, excessive or uneven tire wear, or a front-end alignment that is off are typical symptoms of a worn tie rod. The inner is attached to the steering rack and pinion unit, the outer to the steering knuckle, and the two will be threaded together in the middle - sometimes using a tie rod sleeve and retainers. ![]() A tie rod end also allows you to perform a front-end alignment on the vehicle, and your inner and outer tie rods will typically be threaded on one end to allow them to connect to one another and perform necessary adjustments. They feature a ball-and-socket construction that allows the tie rods to move with the vehicle's suspension over bumps or other changes in terrain while consistently providing steering control. ![]() Tie rods are installed in the end of the rack and pinion or the steering linkage, and attach these parts to the steering knuckle. Tie rod ends allow you to control your vehicle's direction by connecting the steering wheel and steering gear to the front wheels.
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