tie rod nut end hitting radius bar

timsch

Member
I have a '48 8N and the threaded end of the tie rods that go through the spindle arms are scraping the top of the radius arms on both sides when I steer fully in either direction. I don't see any damage to the spindle arms, and the interference is pretty much the same amount on each side - maybe a 1/32" groove in the surface of each radius arm. Both tie rods have busted boots.

It looks like the gap between the tie rod ends and the spindle arms has been collapsed, allowing the threads to protrude from the bottom of the spindle arm more than should be. Can the nut be overtightened, pullening the threads through excessively? Where is the damage likely to be?
 
In my original post, I used "tie rod" to name the part that should have been called "drag link". sorry for any confusion.
 
Take a look at FO-4 Manual exploded view to be familiar with all parts.
The spindle arms may be sitting too low on the top of the spindles or may have a mismatch of parts.
A picture is worth a trillion words.
Greg
 
It's a pin and socket fit. the nut isn't pulling the pin thru the socket too far. :)

More than likely, baring damage to the arms, or the draglinks, your front axle may have some play.

As another poster said. picture is worth alot f words.

PS.

jack the front end up so that the front axleis free to pivot, now steer lock to lock.. still have rubbing?
 
Many moons ago we replaced the tie rod ends on dads 8N. They were original to the tractor. The new tie rod ends either had longer threaded shafts or thicker bolts - I can't recall which. The result was just what you have happening. We heated the arm on the spindle and bent it upwards ever so slightly so they didn't hit anymore. Problem solved. In our case it was the replacement parts not wear on anything.
 
I'll post pics tonight. It does still rub on both sides when the front is elevated, which is when I noticed it in the 1st place, trying to diagnose hard steering.

I thought the pin may have had a taper to it, or maybe a shoulder to keep some clearance between the mating parts so that the boot doesn't get squeezed between them.

There's definitely a bit of play all over this new-to-me tractor. I'm ordering parts now to replace bushings & bearings in the spindles. I also straightened one bent radius arm this weekend. Maybe after doing the spindle work and getting it back together, this problem may have been fixed. I'm just trying to get all parts on order today that might be necessary to get my front end issues straightened out.
 
Maybe it is an aftermarket drag link end with a longer thread than was original. I do have about three or four threads down below the nut, so I could grind them a bit. I'll try that before trying bend the spindle arms.
 
(quoted from post at 19:45:10 07/25/16) Maybe it is an aftermarket drag link end with a longer thread than was original. I do have about three or four threads down below the nut, so I could grind them a bit. I'll try that before trying bend the spindle arms.

Just brainstorming a little: Could the radius arms have been installed wrong, like upside down or on opposite sides of tractor? Something like this might make clearance problems. Just thinking...

Dennis in W. Tenn.
 
I have pictures, but cannot upload them. I'm running Linux Mint and have tried multiple browsers, including Firefox, and all allow me to browse for the files, but when I select them, a Begin Uploads text shows above the pictures, but it is not clickable. Preview shows no photos.
 
Replaced a tie rod end on a 9N and had the same issue. The spindle arm had been broken and welded (not quite straight). Grinding a few threads off the tie rod pin solved the problem.
 

timsch, u can upload them to an image hosting site instead, and link to them in your post.

go to http://tinypic.com

upload your pic(s)

once a pic uploads, you'll be taken to a page showing the pic, and to the left of it, four text boxes under the heading "Share This Image."

copy the contents of the second one down, IMG code for forum and message boards, and paste that into your post here.
 
(quoted from post at 20:51:23 07/25/16)
timsch, u can upload them to an image hosting site instead, and link to them in your post.

go to http://tinypic.com

upload your pic(s)

once a pic uploads, you'll be taken to a page showing the pic, and to the left of it, four text boxes under the heading "Share This Image."

copy the contents of the second one down, IMG code for forum and message boards, and paste that into your post here.
Or email them to me and I'll post them for you. RoyseTractors at gmail.com
 
Yeah, I kind of cringe at the thought now. I'm not sure why we didn't just go after them with the angle grinder. Amazing what you do when it's "just a tractor you use " and not an antique.
 
Here is the top of the radius arm, connecting pin removed. That gash about 1" back from the hole is where the bottom of the drag link threaded end scrapes across it.

11l79qb.jpg


Here's the amount of thread protrusion below the spindle arm.

245h9pv.jpg
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(Side note, the direct image upload had no button to upload when I tried it again on my computer at work with windows. There should be no problem on this computer uploading images.)
 
You can see how the boot between the link end and the radius arm is crushed. This is why I thought maybe the threaded end had been pulled through too far. I don't know how a boot is supposed to last if there is not some kind of stop between the parts to keep a clearence....
 
post some more pictures of that arm and socket.. at least one pulled back far enough to see the arm.. and more showing the rest of the I see an issue.. but need more pics to tell.
 

I'll take pics & post tonight. Keep in mind that the front wheels are off and the right side pin holding the radius arm to the axle is out (pin broken - needs replacing)
 

Thanks for those dims. I'll check against mine when I have them back together, hopefully this weekend.
 

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