Tie Rods won't fit..

[joey8383]

Can anybody shine some light on this? I bought all new front end parts for my build a couple months ago and just now going together with it and the tie rods are way too big. Both inner and outer will not fit and are way too big. The truck is a 69 but all my front suspension (every single piece) is from a 72 donor truck I bought. I ordered the parts for the correct 72 truck and have been online to double check the parts numbers. Rock Auto only offers a 30 day money back and it has been almost 2 months since I bought these. Any ideas??

[Tom Vogel]

Those could be 73 up.

[71 super]

Is the center link 69 or 72? They are different sizes and will cause the problem you are having. The taper on 67-70 is smaller than the 71-72, that would be first place to start. The drag link and pitman are the same taper for all years.

[joey8383]

Center link is 72. Spindles are 72. Neither the inner or outers will fit. I looked at Rock Auto's website looking for a phone number for them but didn't see one..

[joey8383]

Looked up the part numbers again and they come back to 72 C10 "improved design". There's another part number for tie rods that don't mention the improved design. Any ideas what they're talking about?

[67 cst swb]

What part numbers did you buy? If you post the part numbers here, I can double check that you got the correct stuff.
The improved design has nothing to do with fit.

[oldno7]

Hard to tell in pics but the 73 and up are bigger shafts and that's what it looks like you have the only other issue would be the center link

[joey8383]

They're Mevotech MES409LT and MES409RT. 2 of each.

[Lee H]

I think those are 73 up tie rods. Can you go to a local DIY auto house and compare with stock on hand?

[67 cst swb]

Those are 73-newer part numbers.
You should have MES403L inners and MES415RL outers for 71-72 2wd 1/2 ton applications.

[joey8383]

Thank you guys so much. Here's a screen shot of rock auto for 72 c10. Wrong part numbers listed?

[oldno7]

If they have things listed wrong in their order guide I would call and raise he'll this is there fault and none of yours even if it is.past the 30 day return deal good luck. oldno7

[Lee H]

Some clerk answering the phone will not know they are not right for the application. They will just reiterate what the computer shows. Another reason to buy generic high volume parts local, get the right parts, easy returns, keep someone local employed, keep tax dollars in the community. I know it may cost a little more but the long term benefits out way the short term cost savings.

[67 cst swb]

I would say incorrect listing.
from Mevotech website:
Tie Rod End 1986-75 MES409LT Front Inner
Tie Rod End 1986-75 MES409RT Front Outer

[joey8383]

I know I should have bought local. Was just trying to save a buck and stretch a dollar. Lesson learned. Can't even find a phone number on their website. Lol
Thanks a million guys

[67 cst swb]

Email: service@rockauto.com
Phone: 1-608-661-1376
Fax: 1-608-819-6350
Toll-Free (North America): 1- 866-ROCKAUTO

[russgoodman]

Good luck once you get ahold of them. I had a similar issue with a $2 gasket (plus $11 shipping) I bought for my Buick and they wouldn't do anything about it. It was also listed incorrectly on their site. I was SEVERELY disappointed in them, and havent ordered anything from there since.

[davepl]

Originally Posted by Lee H

. Another reason to buy generic high volume parts local, get the right parts, easy returns, keep someone local employed, keep tax dollars in the community. I know it may cost a little more but the long term benefits out way the short term cost savings.

"Uh, we might be able to get some struts from the warehouse". Love that ad. It's exactly why I disagree with your statement above.

First off, at least at MY local store, they're just goons who can barely type in the computer. They don't know what they have in stock or where it is because no one works there more than 3 weeks, it seems. And it's not supporting a local business because it's corporate (which is fine, but not local).

Now, if there was a guy who had an auto parts store and knew my name after 20 years of going to the same store I'd go there and pay more for the privilege. But I haven't seen a good parts store staffed by knowledgeable people in a long time. And the stores we do have are far away and carry more gold license plate frames than they do mechanical parts. Your local reality may differ.

And if you order online you still pay local taxes (or are legally required to, anyway).

In the last couple of years I've lost an Al's Auto Parts, two NAPAs, one Schucks, ACE Hardware, and now Radio Shack. Good thing for Amazon Prime.

[Lee H]

Don't drink all the kool aid, it's much easier to deal with a clerk in person than over the phone no matter how much they don't know, and returns are much easier. Plus you get to see the part before it gets to your house.

[joey8383]

Well Rock Auto issued a full refund on parts and shipping for these tie rods today. At first they said the MES409RT was correct and just wanted to refund 2 of the 4 parts. I had to send them the screen shot of the Mevotech website. I think I'm going to try autopartsandstuff.com for any other online parts. We still have a small Napa store in the next town over that is phenomenal but pricey.

[kxmotox247]

My local O'Reiley's auto parts store will match RockAuto pricing. Just an FYI. I don't think thats a corporate policy... just a local deal. If it's all about money I'd ask. Returns are way easier at a local countertop. What I do is print my order out as if I was going to by from Rockauto and bring it it. They add shipping and tax but usually I'm still saving money.
Went thru the same deal on all of this tie-rod confusion.