Tie Rod/Center Link Question

[cgster]

I had someone change out my ball joints and tie rods. After looking at the tie rods, it looks like they are backwards (Castle nut pointed towards cab). Anyway, can I swap all of this around (Tie rods/Center link) without having to take the front wheels off or do I need to remove the front wheels?

[michael bustamante]

was the truck converted to power steering and disc brakes?

[kwmech]

A LOT easier with the tires off the truck, but it can be done with them off I'd imagine

[Rust_never_sleeps]

I can get at those fine from the front. Mighta had the whole front end jacked at the time, ICR. OEM Tools separator fit in there too

[cgster]

Originally Posted by michael bustamante

was the truck converted to power steering and disc brakes?

Yes, it was converted to power steering and front disk brakes.

[Ironangel]

Originally Posted by cgster

I had someone change out my ball joints and tie rods. After looking at the tie rods, it looks like they are backwards (Castle nut pointed towards cab). Anyway, can I swap all of this around (Tie rods/Center link) without having to take the front wheels off or do I need to remove the front wheels?

You should be able to get to all four tie rod ends and the Pitman arm and Idler arm connections on the center link without removing the tire and wheels. I would write down the measurements or thread counts on the tie rod ends for reference and center your steering wheel before disassembly...I would jack the front up a bit for ease of access...

[dmjlambert]

So I guess you don't want to have the guy who put the center link on backwards re-do that part of the job? You'll need a front end alignment after working on it. I got this style of separator from Harbor Freight and it sure made separating the joints easier.

[cgster]

Thanks for all of the feedback. Im assuming if the tie rods are facing the wrong direction, then the center link needs to be flipped (180) as well?

[cgster]

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

So I guess you don't want to have the guy who put the center link on backwards re-do that part of the job? You'll need a front end alignment after working on it. I got this style of separator from Harbor Freight and it sure made separating the joints easier.

Thanks, I'll have to grab one from Harbor Freight tomorrow. As for the guy that installed it wrong, he won't be fixing it.

[dmjlambert]

Yes the center link needs to be flipped. It should be very close to the crossmember. The inner tie rod has a grease port while the outer tie rod may not have one. Depending on how the conversion was done and with what parts, you may have a slightly different setup.

[RustyPile]

Judging from the way the pitman arm is seated in the center link, while the inner tie rod isn't, I don't believe the center link is upside down.. Rather, it needs to be switched end-for-end..

[cgster]

Originally Posted by RustyPile

Judging from the way the pitman arm is seated in the center link, while the inner tie rod isn't, I don't believe the center link is upside down.. Rather, it needs to be switched end-for-end..

I haven't had time to mess with it yet, but your thinking it needs to be flipped around where the current hole in the center link for the pitman arm is flipped to the idler arm? Are the holes on the center link the same size on both ends? Thanks

[kwmech]

It needs to be flipped from end to end and the tie rods come from the inside with the nuts facing forward

[RustyPile]

Originally Posted by cgster

I haven't had time to mess with it yet, but your thinking it needs to be flipped around where the current hole in the center link for the pitman arm is flipped to the idler arm? Are the holes on the center link the same size on both ends? Thanks

Correct.. Plus the inner tie rods should enter the center link from the back side, nuts to the front.... When all of this is accomplished, have the frontend re-aligned..