MF50 Tie rod stuck.

Jim Gorter · Apr 24, 2013

1964 MF50. I had to replace a bad ball joint on right side. Widened the front tire spacing. Now I cant get the left side tie rod to come apart. Dont want to beat on it too much. Need to lengthen about 4 inches. Have tried penetrant and some heat but still tight. Any tips to loosening it up? Thanks, Jim.

Masseynut(Australia) · Apr 24, 2013

You can't really thump these assemblies too much with a hammer, as long as you place the tube on a solid piece of iron or an anvil.
Hit the outer tube all the way around the diameter of the tube, keeping it square on your anvil. What you attempting to do, is "stretch" the outer tube eventually giving it clearance on the inner rod.
Once you have given it a work-over with the hammer, place it in a solid vice, and try turning the rod end with a pair of stilsons. Work it one way then the other. Perseverance is the key to success here,
Evan.

DavidP, South Wales · Apr 25, 2013

Hello Evan,
Same problem, same solution....wherever you are in the world!!!!

DavidP

Jim Gorter · Apr 25, 2013

Thanks for the replies. I have been hesitant to beat on the tube for fear of crimping it more to the inner shaft. I am trying to do this with the tie rod still attached to the center pivot.
BTW, What is a "Stilson" Jim.

Tom Bowman · Apr 25, 2013

Jim, what you and me call a "Pipe Wrench", Down Under and in the UK, they call a "Stillson Wrench".

This is a timely topic, as I"m about to do the same thing on a Ferguson TO-20.

If you want a chuckle: look at the picture in the Ferguson Shop Manual of the mechanic adjusting the toe-in on the front wheels, by turning the tie rod with his BARE HANDS, after he"s loosened the clamps on the tie rod ends!

DavidP, South Wales · Apr 25, 2013

Hi Tom,
In the factory world things don't rust. They don't seize up and they don't sometimes have to beat the **** out of things to free them!!!!

A chuckle yes, but that's the way it should be when you fit the replacement item.

I think the French call it a 'cle anglais'.

DavidP

Jim Gorter · Apr 26, 2013

Tom, Thanks for the translation. I will try the tapping method maybe combined with the "stilson twist".
I even had trouble pulling the axle ends out of the housing. They were packed tight with dirt. Ended up anchoring one side and pulling the other side out with a comealong (what us Yanks call a cable winch) Jim.

MF50 Tie rod stuck.

Jim Gorter

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Masseynut(Australia)

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DavidP, South Wales

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Jim Gorter

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Tom Bowman

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DavidP, South Wales

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Jim Gorter

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