Bent Tie Rod

[Jim1764]

Today I was out checking over the tractor and noticed that the left side tie rod was bent. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif I looked up the price online and found it was $125.00 without shipping. The bend is not too sever and was wondering if I could just take it off and bend it back? Should I heat it up first or just try and bend it back cold? Not sure how I bent it but would like to know if anyone else has had this problem. Tractor is a L3710 with turf tires on it. I'll try and get some pictures of it tomorrow but I've posted the parts manual page and highlighted the part.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[beenthere]

From your written description, the bend doesn't sound too drastic. I'd remove it, and cold bend it back. Possibly a conduit pipe bender would fit it pretty good, and give you the leverage to bend it back straight. You'll be able to tell, I think, if the cold straightening will be sufficient. I suspect the metal isn't too hard and bends easily. Better it bend than to snap when hitting something.

Possibly the pics you post will reveal a different picture from what you describe.

 

[_RaT_]

I have straitghtened tie rods on tractors plenty of times using a hydraulic press. Most machine shops have them. I have yet to be charged by one but if they do, it will be a few bucks. Do not heat it. You do not need to replace it.

 

[JerryG]

By all means at least try to straighten it. If it doesn’t work or it breaks, you still have lost anything. At least you tried. Use a press and go slow. Check for crack afterward.

 

[hans2]

Take it off (use a pickle fork) Bend it straight; might need heat . Then weld a length of angle iron along the whole tie rod. Check you tractor first for any clearance issue. It will be better than new when done. Both Kubota's in the family have needed this surgery.

 

[Jim1764]

Thanks for all the input guys. I took some pictures this morning of the tie rod before leaving for work and will post them tonight.

Jim

 

[RobJ]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Take it off (use a pickle fork) Bend it straight; might need heat . Then weld a length of angle iron along the whole tie rod. Check you tractor first for any clearance issue. It will be better than new when done. Both Kubota's in the family have needed this surgery. )</font>

Be careful if you weld a piece of angle on it to strenghten it. By doing this it'll transfer the load to the next weakest point. I think hammering out a bent tie rod is cheaper than a cast steering knuckle.

 

[Jim1764]

OK, here are the pictures I took this morning of the tie rod damage. Picture 1

 

[Jim1764]

Picture 2

 

[Jim1764]

and picture 3
I think I'm going to go with every ones suggestions to try and bend it back into place. I'm not going to use heat just cold bend it. I'll let you all know how it goes later this week. I'll probably take it off the tractor one night after work try and bend it and get it back on the tractor by the weekend. Thanks again for all the advise.

Jim

 

[srs]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Do not heat it. )</font>

Rat, why can't or shouldn't you heat it?

 

[JerryG]

After looking at the pictures, I wouldn't hesitate at all to put it in a press and straighten it out. I don't even think that I would reinforce it. That is a good clean bend.

 

[beenthere]

Thanks for the pics. I'd just bend it back. Too heavy to do it with a conduit bender /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

A press should do it easy, and a little paint, and you won't know it happened.

Might be nice to figure out how it happened, so to avoid it in the future. Maybe a heavy stick (limb) in the woods? Those sticks seem to have a mind of their own, and 'know' how to place themselves just right to do the deed. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[_RaT_]

A tie rod seems to be made of more then mild steel and would therefore question whether I am changing those properties. I find a press bends it very easy, a vise is almost impossible. I straightened one from a Kubota L4850 several times.

 

[Jim1764]

beenthere I've been trying to think back to figure out what I could have done to bend it. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif The only thing that comes to mind was a white pine stump about 6" in diameter that I was popping out of the ground with the front bucket. The stump may have gone under the front of the tractor while I was fighting with it and bent the tie rod. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Jim

 

[HammerFour]

I wouldn't reinforce it, you want that tie rod to be the weak link if something applies a lot of force to the steering mechanism.

One time I had some tie rods that kept bending, so I replaced them with upsized titanium ones...the next thing I knew I was breaking steering arms and kingpin holders. Ok, so that was on my r/c cars I was racing but the same rules apply, you want the cheap, easily replaced parts to fail when needed to protect the expensive, hard to replace pieces.

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Highbeam]

On my Kioti the tie rod also hangs low. I bent the bajeepers out of it and replaced it with new. I also tore the tie rod end boot with the pickle fork so be careful about that too. I also do not remember hitting anything.

I agree with others to not reinforce it.

 

[RobJ]

How is it driving? I didn't really notice mine was bent but the steering was off. Going down the road it pulled hard to the right. Started looking and saw the rod. Be sure to check the alignment procedures in the manual when re installing. If I recall you measure the front and rear of a tread, then give it a little toe in. Then take it for a 11.5mph test drive.

 

[Jim1764]

Well the tie rod is all repaired and installed. I had my brother in-law, who is the service manager for a local John Deere construction (yellow tractors) dealer, bend it at work. He told me that this was nothing compared to some of the bigger tractors that come in with tie rods looking like pretzels /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
Here are a few pictures of the repair.
Again thanks for all the advise.

Jim

 

[Jim1764]

Picture 2, tie rod installed