Tie-rod assembly upgrade?

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cjsanchez
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Tie-rod assembly upgrade?

Post by cjsanchez » Sun Jul 14, 2013 6:51 pm

I feel mine will need a permanent vacation soon. What are you guys using to replace these with as an alternate?


Cheers!

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Chuck W.
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Re: Tie-rod assembly upgrade?

Post by Chuck W. » Mon Jul 15, 2013 7:35 am

New, orignal tie rod ends are another item that is starting to dry up. I have looked for a long time and have not found any other end that will fit this application. Occasionally, you'll see NOS tie rods with ends on e-bay. I think John Emery has right-hand ends and makes a modified left-hand end. Mechanical Mules of America shows a modified hemi joint that looks very good, and may be the only option in the future. Would be interesting to hear other thoughts/ideas on this.

Here's a photo from MMA's web site: http://mechanicalmulesofamerica.com/index.html
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Dave M38A1
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Re: Tie-rod assembly upgrade?

Post by Dave M38A1 » Mon Jul 15, 2013 8:55 am

Watching with interest as mine will need tie rods when I get it running.

I need one short and one long at least, a lot of play in the tie rod ends.

Thanks,

Dave
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cjsanchez
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Re: Tie-rod assembly upgrade?

Post by cjsanchez » Wed Jul 17, 2013 1:48 pm

Why would something like these not work?
It will need some sort of adaptation, but...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AB-Tie-Rod-End- ... f7&vxp=mtr

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Re: Tie-rod assembly upgrade?

Post by Chuck W. » Wed Jul 17, 2013 3:56 pm

At the very least, you'd need to fabricate new tie rods and ream the tapered holes in the hubs, bell-cranks, etc.

A 2WS takes 3 long and 3 short ends, 4WS takes 5 long and 5 short ends, so you'd need to machine up 3 new tie rods for the 2WS and 5 for the 4WS. Would be a project. Don't know how big those ends are on e-bay, would need to do some carefull measuring, there's not a lot of "meat" around the 3/8" tapered holes in the hubs.

Might be worth looking at as we've never found any type direct replacement. Also looks like the MMA hemi ends shown above come with new tie rods.

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Re: Tie-rod assembly upgrade?

Post by crankshaft45 » Thu Jul 18, 2013 4:36 am

I talked with Terry at MMA. He says his heim joint tie rods require the complete assembly, they are not compatible with just replacing the ends. He wants $850.00 for the complete change over kit.
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Re: Tie-rod assembly upgrade?

Post by cjsanchez » Thu Jul 18, 2013 5:19 pm

OH! WoW!
$850! Are those the gold plated ones?
:S

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Re: Tie-rod assembly upgrade?

Post by Chuck W. » Thu Jul 18, 2013 7:06 pm

Is that price for a 2 or 4 WS setup?

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Re: Tie-rod assembly upgrade?

Post by Dave M38A1 » Fri Jul 19, 2013 1:49 am

I would think for less than $850 I could have my machinist fab up all new stuff.
This is just tie rods and not a whole 4ws system.
Had the machinist make new longer head bolts for the engine lift hook, and make new tapered "dogs" for a steering box, knurl and install new bushings in that steering box, for $100.
I may have to find some worn out tie rods, take them to him, and see what he can figure out.
Or once I get it running, take the Mule over there and ask his opinion on upgrading parts.

Dave
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Re: Tie-rod assembly upgrade?

Post by Chuck W. » Fri Jul 19, 2013 6:56 am

I don't think it would be that hard to do, biggest problem would be to find a tie rod end that will fit the existing tapered holes in the steering linkage. Would probably want to use a schedule 80 pipe for the tie rods, or drill and thread solid steel round stock.

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Re: Tie-rod assembly upgrade?

Post by crankshaft45 » Fri Jul 19, 2013 7:40 am

That price was to change the entire 4 wheel steer mule to heim joints
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Re: Tie-rod assembly upgrade?

Post by Thomas.Germany » Tue Aug 07, 2018 6:37 am

Hello.
The Tie Rod ends from Mules of America are not the only alternative in the future.
I am currently restoring my Mule and all Parts are hard to find in Europe for a good price but the biggest Problem is Tie Rod Ends.
After a long search I have my own replacement Prototype.
I hope i can make a test drive in tree ore four Weeks because at the moment i wait for new Tires from the USA.

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Re: Tie-rod assembly upgrade?

Post by Auto Shop teacher » Tue Aug 07, 2018 7:50 am

Great photos, thanks for posting them Thomas. I noticed you modified your tie rods to accept your new tie rod ends, what does your tie rod ends fit origionally?

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Re: Tie-rod assembly upgrade?

Post by Thomas.Germany » Tue Aug 07, 2018 9:53 am

Auto Shop teacher wrote:
Tue Aug 07, 2018 7:50 am
Great photos, thanks for posting them Thomas. I noticed you modified your tie rods to accept your new tie rod ends, what does your tie rod ends fit origionally?
I did the tie rods myself completely because I did not want to destroy the original ones.
I would like to do a test drive first and if I know that everything works perfectly I can say something about it.
I searched for a very long time and The first two models I tried did not fit properly.

Maybe in the Future you can by this tie rod ends vor a very good Price in my ebay Shop. :wink: :wink: :wink:

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Re: Tie-rod assembly upgrade?

Post by Auto Shop teacher » Tue Aug 07, 2018 10:58 am

The look larger than the original ones, do they rub against the tire or the rim?


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