So after all the help you guys provided with my motor and carb issues, I figured id reach out again to tap the infinite wisdoms! I need a solution for steering on my 1947 international truck. The ball and stud is mostly pooched, and parts seem to be unobtanium. Further to that, im not sure how comfortable I feel driving highway speeds with that stuff. Im cool with the chuckwagon ride the leaf springs will get me, but I think it will be worth going to a crossover type steering using a vega box and heim joints. The only problem is steering arms. What do guys do for steering arms on weird 1 off axles? The kingpin from has a bolt width of 3 1/16, while the more common ford F1 axle runs a 3.375 width... Is there a company that will make a custom steering arm from specs? If anyone has better ideas, Id also be more than down to hear that! (besides MII front end, thats not currently in the works).
If they were safer, don't you think the OEM's would be using them? Heims have no way to grease t he wear points, or keep the grease inside. They also depend on the (im)perfect fit of the bolt holding them to the arm, unlike regular tie rod ends which have the tapered shaft locking them securely into the arm.
You can probably remove the ball pivots and ream your arms to accept common ford toe rod ends. Did that to my Chevy long ago, no issues. Also what is your location? I know of a complete tube axle setup just removed from a 46 IH last winter (owner p***ed, wife kept truck but wanted power steering).
Just the random stuff I pick up. The discs are there but poorly set up Here is some more pics https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/buyer-customer-beware.1266261/
Although it looks like you may have a good source replacement ………….Some folks may cringe but I have enough confidence to cut and install new ends by welding them. you could also heat treat to normalize the tensil strength. Don’t do this unless you’ve had experience in the correct method.
The balls are easy to remove. Just grind off the back side where they are smashed like a rivet, and heat the end and drive to ball out with a punch. Then like said, use the correct reamer to use modern tie rod end.
If you’re not comfortable repairing or converting the steering arms, contact these folks. https://droppedaxles.com/ they convert and modify all things straight axle.
The international steering arms and spindles are what we used on sprint cars until the supply dried up.
I appreciate all the ideas! I will look at getting them reamed to accept standard ball joints. unfortunately I am up in Canada, and on the prairies there isn’t a whole lot of supply of used parts, or guys well versed in the old school. will keep you updated with what I do!
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