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Hot Rods Tie Rod Dimensions.

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by panhead_pete, Jun 3, 2025.

  1. panhead_pete
    Joined: Feb 22, 2006
    Posts: 3,677

    panhead_pete
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Mocked up my front end today. Its a 33-36 undropped axle with round back spindles and split 34 bones.

    20250603_112712.jpg

    Tie rod bar which Im yet to make looks like it will be close to the bottom of the split bones. Was thinking that shouldnt be an issue with undropped axle? Pic shows a lazer set on the bottom of tie rod hole and where that lands on the bones. Anyone needed to bend steering arms etc when using this setup? Im about to order all my parts and have them shipped to Japan so hoping to get this right the 1st time.

    20250603_112100.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Jun 3, 2025
  2. Happydaze
    Joined: Aug 21, 2009
    Posts: 2,261

    Happydaze
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Dont forget the balljoints rise as you steer, by virtue of the caster. What I can see looks pretty darn close and likely to get closer. Bending the arms and/ or dropped balljoints. Being in the uk I have the same issues on getting parts, so I tend to cover all the bases. The surplus parts seem to get utilised somehow, eventually!

    Chris
     
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  3. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 22,199

    alchemy
    Member

    You should get by with regular tie rod ends. If you need a little more clearance, it’s easy to bend the arms down.

    With the stock axle, you are shooting for a higher than normal stance?
     
    panhead_pete likes this.
  4. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 19,504

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    Weird that a 34 axle with 34 bones would have any issue at all. Assuming the rod end goes in from the bottom you “should” have room. I’ll go measure a ford rod end for you to see if that helps clarify anything

    Edit: I guess the issue would be stock 34 steering arm Vs round back steering arm height.
     
    Last edited: Jun 3, 2025
  5. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 19,504

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    Alright here we go IMG_0283.jpeg 46 ish ford tie rod with the boot long gone the rusty area between the top of the rod end and the tapper that fits in the steering arm is 1/2”

    IMG_0284.jpeg IMG_0285.jpeg on a new replacement rod end the taper depth is 9/16” and the boot height is right at 3/4”

    I included the taper depth because I’ve seen steering arms where the entire tappered section wasn’t all the way into the arm. So assuming you use a brand new rod end ( this ones from speedway) and mount them from the bottom of the arm
    You should have 3/4” from the bottom of the arm to the top at the rod end.


    I do have one of those dropped rod ends in the shelf also should you want a specific measurment
     
    gary macdonald and panhead_pete like this.
  6. panhead_pete
    Joined: Feb 22, 2006
    Posts: 3,677

    panhead_pete
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Thanks, was laying in bed last night and think if I have to do it will get the steering arms dropped.

    Re the axle I prefer the look of an undropped axle. Cross member is 1inch lower than normal and spring appears to be about 2inches, maybe a fraction more lower than normal. Both those add up to just a dropped axle. Hopefully that is enough. Not looking for an ultra low look though. Will be interesting to see how I go and if I will be back buying a dropped axle and be posting about dropped steering arms and tie rods again.....
     
  7. panhead_pete
    Joined: Feb 22, 2006
    Posts: 3,677

    panhead_pete
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Thanks @Tim thats great info and I appreciate your time. With those dimensions it will be close but should fit and will give it a go. Will just order the standard ones for now. Thanks again.
     
    Tim likes this.
  8. nobby
    Joined: Jan 8, 2006
    Posts: 1,358

    nobby
    Member

    hello,
    a 35 36 wishbone has the forged ends the other way up so there is more clearance
    erm, that set up will be REALLY wide
    there is a difference in the steering arms at the tie rod position
    i.e. IF you had stock 36 spindles on there with a stock 36 drag link and then switched on the 40 spindles, the wheels no longer point straight ahead.
     
  9. nobby
    Joined: Jan 8, 2006
    Posts: 1,358

    nobby
    Member

    oh
    and FYI
    there is a rhd 40 spindle for sale one here somewhere for 60 bucks
    they make a rhd vega box now....
     
  10. panhead_pete
    Joined: Feb 22, 2006
    Posts: 3,677

    panhead_pete
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Thanks will be making custom width tie rod and drag links.
     
  11. panhead_pete
    Joined: Feb 22, 2006
    Posts: 3,677

    panhead_pete
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Thanks I cant change it now due to it being LHD when Initially registered here in Japan
     
    Tim likes this.

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