I BENT TIE ROD

[sandman2234]

I bent the one on my little Ford 1100 so many times it isn't funny. I straighten it so many times the metal had fatique cracks in it, so I ordered a new one. (Didn't feel like messing with the left hand threads on one end when making a new one). Never installed the new one, because the old one held up till I sold it (the first time I sold it). That owner promptly bent and broke it. He took the parts to his shop and straightened them, and welded the pieces back together. It is still on the tactor, and has been sold to another friend who is not a welder, so I told him I had the part somewhere if he ever breaks it again.
David from jax

 

[RobJ]

Rob This would be true if the bending were occuring by excessive forces coming from trying to turn the wheels and them not turning. Since the bending is coming from the center of the actual tie rod hitting something, negible additional forces will be delivered to the remaining components. I routinely reinforce my tierods and have been doing it for over 20 years with absolutely no problems.

Andy

I understand what you are saying. I'm thinking about a case where the tractor could get high centered on a rock, stump it something. Maybe it hits one if these. If the rod bends, then this might allow the tractor to slide over the rock/stump and not transfer weight somewhere else.

I'd rather fall in a pile of dirt that'll bend, move a bit rather than on concrete. Same with crumple zones in cars. The bending metal takes the abuse not your body.

Rob

 

[schmism]

 

[Tig]

Here is a pic of my bent tie rod end. Although is makes no sense given the damage, currently the wheels are toed out about as much as the manual says they should be toed in. Now the question is, repair, adjust, replace or ignore as the dealer is inclinded to do? Opinions welcome.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v347/sbattig/Kubota/IMG_5905-1.jpg

 

[Jay4200]

Here is a pic of my bent tie rod end. Although is makes no sense given the damage, currently the wheels are toed out about as much as the manual says they should be toed in. Now the question is, repair, adjust, replace or ignore as the dealer is inclinded to do? Opinions welcome.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v347/sbattig/Kubota/IMG_5905-1.jpg

I wouldn't touch it, there is absolutely no functional reason to mess with it. If you just can't stand it, then buy a new one - I doubt you'd be able to preserve the thread pitch if you straightened it.

Jay

 

[bx23barry]

To do it right replace the tie rod end and adjust the toe correctly. I would just try and adjust the toe. If need be take off one end and adjust only the end that isn't bent. I don't think the bent side will adjust much or straighten out with out screwing up the threads. I see now you din't bend the tie rod itself, just the "tie rod end".

 

[firemanpat2910]

Im with the ignore crowd just post the pic on the "Whats not getting fixed" thread

 

[Tig]

Jay, I hear ya. On a low speed machine a bit of toe out doesn't seem very significant.
Barry, I bought a tie rod end remover last week because it was on sale. I was planning to pop one end off and adjust it like you said.
Pat, you are probably right about where the pic should be but I'm still in denial about whether or not it's going to get fixed.
Thanks guys.

 

[andrewj]

honestly, this is the main reason i did not buy kubota - JD and NH have protected tie rods. if KB changes the design I would strongly consider KB over deere or NH next time.

 

[TractorLegend]

You can likely adjust a bent tie rod bar to correct straight ahead toe in, but toe out measurement on turns will be way out of whack.

 

[Blackfoot]

I also had bad bend in tie rod, straightened in the dark with come-along, rock, and three fingers. How does one set toe in? ...Blackfoot

 

[TractorLegend]

A "general rule of thumb" is steering wheel centered, and 1/16" toe in on each wheel for 1/8" total. They sell a 50 buck toe bar deal in JC Whitneys and I think I saw something in Jegs. To be accurate, one needs a scribe point attached to a pedestal ( SPC alignment products) where you jack up each wheel and scribe a notch around the circumference of the tire at he center of the tread. Some go back and after scribing the line and spray paint around the scribed line while spinning the wheel (to be used for definition). Then you center the steering wheel with weight on wheels and use toe bar tool (or tape measure if you want to go ghetto) to measue at the back of the treads then again at the very front of the treads. The tires should be toed in 1/16 on each side so effectively the overall length at the back side of treads is 1/8 more than overall length between scribed lines.
Really in the slow speed tractor world close is probably good enough. Anything from zero toe in to plus 1/8 overall should be good.You could just have an assistant help hold a tape measure at the front then the back very center of the tread-and calculate from there.
Hope this helps.

 

[Blackfoot]

Yep I will try that. I got it fairly strait, and I looked at both tires and they seem real close to be both turning the same way at the same time. But I really think I should measure up and see if I am close at all. The fastest this tractor will ever go will be around 10 mph, less the brake quits working. I have brakes coming in the mail. Thanks for the help,,,,Blackfoot

 

[mrutkaus]

If you adjust the toe in, the tractor doesn't know the tie rod is bent.

Mike

 

[TractorLegend]

Yes the only thing that changes with a bent tie rod if you reset toe is the toe out on turns...there would be some tire scrubbing on turns. In slow speed dirt use it really wouldnt matter that much. In an automobile it would be a big deal.

 

[Timber]

well I have yet to bend the tie rod on my tractor I certainly bent many on my Dune Buggy's and sand rails. Take it off and straiten it works on the short term but once bent they bend real easy again. Go buy a new one and put it up in the shop somewhere. When it bends again and it will just replace it. I also recommend skid plates though I have yet to make them for my own yet.