Should Tire Rod be Bent

[oldmopar]

See photos this is the rod that connects the 2 tire rod ends. In the parts manual it looks straight (but that is a drawing not a photo) also when I turn the wheel all the was the tire rod hits the axle in the center.

As I have to replace the king pins, a lot of play in the left I figure I may as well just replace all the steering parts but need to know about that rod 1st

Ed

[1949P17BC]

I don't think it should be bent, and certainly shouldn't hit or rub on anything

[TodFitch]

I am unaware of a Chrysler product of that era that shipped with a bent tie rod. Shouldn't be a big deal to straighten it.

[48Dodger]

The center link is suspose to be straight and not bent. Its a vuneralbe component of the front suspension. I have two front ends on a pallett to demonstrate the good from the bad.

48D

[oldmopar]

The same guy who drove the 2nd truck on the pallet photo must have also driven my truck. I should be able to straighten it, if not I will look for a replacement .

Thanks

[Jerry Roberts]

I straightened mine several years ago by clamping it in a vise and pulling . Not a big problem .

[Young Ed]

Ha in my truck my axle was that bent!

[Andydodge]

Oldmopar, with the tie rod that bent you should have a lot of toe out........unless of course the tierod ends have been adjusted to compensate for the bend and in that case you'll need to readjust them once the tierod is straight........btw thats a lot of bend in the tierod.....lol...........I'd check for a reason for this, ie, is the axle, steering arms, pitman arm/drag link/s o/k?.......tierods don't go bending by themselves...........lol.............andyd

[grey beard]

Pilothouse tie rods are straight - no bends.

Having said that, the drag link - the libnk between the steering box pitmen arm and the right side spoidle - DOES have a bend in it. In point of fact, this bend is critical for the rod to clear the spring when the suspsnsion flexes.

Pilothouse trucks have no adjustment between the steering box and the spindles. This means that if your steering wheel (clear vision) is not straight when you go down the road in a straight line, there is no adjustment provided.

This can become a critical issue, because if your steering wheel is crooked, it is more than likely that your steering box is also off center. Steering box gears are made so that in the centered position there is a high spot. This aids the steering in returnoing back to center after making a turn. You always want to check for steering box play when the box is centered. There will always be steering box play when the box is off center.

My Pilothouse nust have been in several collisions in its long life of service. The frame was bent. The frame was cracked, and there was a lot of body work done to the nose before I began on it. My steering box - and the steering wheel - were off center almost 1/4 wheel turn. This meant the box had lots of play when it should not have.

I was able to straighten out this problem by jacking up on the drag link, just under the factory bend, and straightening it a small amount. So doing gave the result of lengthening the drag link and straightening the steeribng box to the desired center spot. Now when I drive down the road, my steering wheel is centered, my steering box is centered, and the drivability "feel" of the vehicle is much improved.

Back to the origibal questions on this thread, Pilothouse front axles are bent in the center from the factory. Please don't try to straighten that out.

[oldmopar]

I have not driven the truck on the road only into my garage so do not know much about the steering. 3 out of the 4 brakes were locked front 2 adjusted incorrectly and locked up left rear wc was frozen so it went straight into my garage. Brakes are being completely rebuilt and getting dot 5 silicon.