Advice on cutting tie rod end shorter needed...

[Fiat88]

Many of you know about my alignment problem because of my new tie rods being too long. Since I have the front tie rods loose for most part because of replacing the steering box seals I feel tempted to cut the tie rods shorter to save some money.

I'll try to take some pics of the tie rod ends but one way to describe it is, both tie rod ends on one side are the same thread length but only one end threads in all the way, the other end has about one inch showing and bottoms out. If I cut the side with the one inch showing shorter would that solve my problem? Still have to check the passanger side assembly. Any help appreciated.

[dmwhiteoak]

There was aThread on this a couple months ago. From what I remember this is daily common. Cut the one off that is bottoming out and all is well. I'll try and find the thread.

[kmead]

Out of curiosity, did you replace the center link at the same time as you replaced all of your tie rods?

I may be mistaken but the center links were different on early and late cars.

http://www.international-auto.com/index ... sid=873931



As for cutting things down, you should only cut the tubular connectors down, not change anything on the other actual tie rods.

[azruss]

As Karl said the problem is usually with the adjuster tube. just grinding it down may not help, as the thread depth can be a problem as well. this may require grinding the ball joint as well

[124JOE]

if it can go down to 12 inches center to center then your good
if not then trim the long tierod threaded end just untill you can get it under 12

[Fiat88]

Out of curiosity, did you replace the center link at the same time as you replaced all of your tie rods?

I may be mistaken but the center links were different on early and late cars.

http://www.international-auto.com/index ... sid=873931



As for cutting things down, you should only cut the tubular connectors down, not change anything on the other actual tie rods.

Yeah I did replace the center link. I believe mine is the curved one.

[124JOE]

as i remember you have not got to the other side yet
from the pic i see one tierod end longer than the other
but you can not flip the tube end for end because its threaded opisite
maybey swaping it side to side"the tube"

if cutting is your answer then mesure to 11 3/4 and cut the remainder and beville
the goal is 12 inches center of bolt to center

[ventura ace]

My tie rod sleeve measures 8.75". The threaded portion of the tie rod ends measures about 1.5" for each. Are these close to what you measure for yours?

With both tie rod ends threaded all the way in, the center to center measurement is about 11.5". As mentioned in another reply, when your adjustment is complete, you'll probably be at about 12" center to center. If you have 1" of threaded tie rod end exposed, then you've only got 1/2" of the threads engaged. Not good. I would try to find out why the end that has 1" showing won't thread in any further, and correct the problem. What is preventing it from threading in any further? Are you trying to turn it by hand, and can't hold on to it? If that's the case, use a pair of pliers, or use a thin screwdriver tip in the slit of the sleeve to hold it or turn it. It bothers me that you only have 1/2" thread engagement.

Alvon

[Fiat88]

My tie rod sleeve measures 8.75". The threaded portion of each tie rod end measures about 1.5" for each. Are these close to what you measure for yours?

With both tie rod ends threaded all the way in, the center to center measurement is about 11.5". As mentioned in another reply, when your adjustment is complete, you'll probably be at about 12" center to center. If you have 1" of threaded tie rod end exposed, then you've only got 1/2" of the threads engaged. Not good. I would try to find out why the end that has 1" showing won't thread in any further, and correct the problem. What is preventing it from threading in any further? Are you trying to turn it by hand, and can't hold on to it? If that's the case, use a pair of pliers, or use a thin screwdriver tip in the slit of the sleeve to hold it or turn it. It bothers me that you only have 1/2" thread engagement.

Alvon

The sleeve on the drivers side measures 8 5/8 " The tie rod threaded portion measures 2".

When I thread the tie rods in all the way, I measure 11.5" from tie rod end bolt to tie rod end bolt, is that what you meant? I still have 1 3/8" of thread sticking out on one end. The reason its not threading in is the threads on one side of the sleeve is deeper then the other.

Thanks for the help Alvon and everyone!

[ventura ace]

11.5" from center to center of tie rod end bolts seems short enough to do the trick. Mine are adjusted for proper alignment, and measure about 11.75" to 12". Maybe it's a silly question, but you do have the tie rod ends attached to the outer hole of the pivot arm, and the center link to the inner hole, right?

Since mine is a 1970 spider, it may have different geometry from yours, but I wouldn't think so.

Alvon

[Fiat88]

11.5" from center to center of tie rod end bolts seems short enough to do the trick. Mine are adjusted for proper alignment, and measure about 11.75" to 12". Maybe it's a silly question, but you do have the tie rod ends attached to the outer hole of the pivot arm, and the center link to the inner hole, right?

Since mine is a 1970 spider, it may have different geometry from yours, but I wouldn't think so.

Alvon

Yup everythings in the right location.

[manoa matt]

Pictures, pictures, pictures. With measurements please. Just like the ball joints, the tie rod ends made for our cars are made by many different manufacturers and variations. Look at pictures of ball joints on the various vendor sites and then look on Rockauto.com or O'riley. You will notice on some rod ends the threaded portion extends right up to the joint while others stop about 1/2" back from the joint. Also some have longer threaded sections than others.

[Fiat88]

Matt my computer is messed up(system fix virus) so I can't upload pix. I'll try though.

[Fiat88]

Would running non stock rims affect toe factory specs? As I'm running Rotas.

BTW, when I had the last alignment done my steering idler was bad and had a lot of play could this cause the toe alignment to be off?

[kmead]

Would running non stock rims affect toe factory specs? As I'm running Rotas.

BTW, when I had the last alignment done my steering idler was bad and had a lot of play could this cause the toe alignment to be off?

The worn idler would have an effect (minor) but I don't think its the cause. The rims are are not an issue as the measurements for toe are to the inside front and inside back of the front rims, its all relative.

It does seem like you need to make a change to some of the parts, either look into getting the sleeve threaded deeper, buy new ones that have even deep threads on both ends or cut down the tie rod ends threaded portion.

I would avoid cutting the tie rod ends as someday you will have to replace your current tie rods. In addition you have no way of verifying that a mechanic ensures an appropriate amount of thread engagement.

Any chance folks who have parts hanging around could provide measurements of:
The overall length of a tie rod end along with how long the threaded portion is
Overall length of the tube and measure the depth of threads inside each end
Overall length of the track rod (and the year of your car)

Although it is useful to know the assembled lengths all your cars have, all cars are different and although most should be very similar in lengths of the tie rods assembly, there are going to be cars that vary from the norm in terms of the exact lengths.