Bent tie rod.....again

[foggy1111]

I got hung up on a stump yesterday and bent my tie rod like a U shape. Operating in timber is sure rough on equipment. I had some real problems both in getting off the stump and in steering after bending the tie rod like that.

When I got back to my shop area I found a web sling and put it over the tie rod and then chained the sling to a tree....and backed up until my wife told me I was "straight". I have straightend the tie rod once before and now it has lots of waves in it....but it steers fine again.

My question: Should I replace the tie rod or just drive it like it is? I cant see where I can harm the tractor as long as the wheels are still in alignment.....right?

It seems every time I clean out a new trail or operate in the timber I get some type of road rash.

 

[kebo]

I would run it as is, unless it starts showing some odd tire wear due to still being slightly bent. Once you see JD's price for a new one, it will really help you decide! I saw a thread on here where some folks had strengthed their tie rods to help prevent them from bending in the first place. The problem I see in doing that is that it makes something else in the whole steering linkage system the weaker link.... like maybe a pittman arm or a cast axle housing.

 

[mfreund]

I would use it as is, if you strengthened it the stumps would cause it to break somewhere else.

 

[art]

I can't say you are the first, just one of many who have done it for one reason or another.


This is a problem that exists with tierods being below the axle or in front of them where you can't see them.

I'd straighten it and try and reinforce it with some angle iron and then reset your toe-in. That way if you do drive it down the road it won't scuff the tires off.

 

[Ken Cunningham]

You could just cut the ends off and weld in a new bar. If you seem to be haveing this type of problem over and over, look under the tractor for unused mounting points and make yourself a skid plate.

 

[foggy1111]

You could just cut the ends off and weld in a new bar. If you seem to be haveing this type of problem over and over, look under the tractor for unused mounting points and make yourself a skid plate.

Thanks for all the suggestions. The tie rod on the 790 is protected fairly well by being behind the front axle.....but when operating in timber, all bets are off. I did take the tie rod off to straighten it the last time it was bent....and its some pretty lightweight and soft tubing - which surprised me a little.

I did consider welding an angle to this tie rod to beef it up.....but I think it is made to be the weak link in the chain (as stated above).....and beefing it up could ultimately be more expensive. The idea about cutting off the threaded ends and adding new tubing to these ends may be the solution after I bend it a few more times.

Thanks for the tips. Operating in the timber is just plain hard on stuff....and requires that I slow down considerably. Any tractor problems I have had stem from operating in the timber. Injuries too (almost poked my eye out previously) Thankfully I am almost done with some of the nastiest stuff (for now).

 

[sunnyside360]

Just straighten the tie rod as best you can and check/adjust the toe-in per manual and you'll be fine. This all I've ever done and it worked out just fine.

 

[brazbrat]

I registered just for you!
I've been thru three tie rods on my 790. There cheap $100 or less....
I work in fairly wooded and uneven areas, with boulders.

The first time I bent a rod I went ahead and straitened it.
That made sense, until I had a load on uneven terain. I crawled up on a small rock and the rod went complete V. My front wheels went oposite directions and I was nearly killed...

 

[foggy1111]

I registered just for you!
I've been thru three tie rods on my 790. There cheap $100 or less....
I work in fairly wooded and uneven areas, with boulders.

The first time I bent a rod I went ahead and straitened it.
That made sense, until I had a load on uneven terain. I crawled up on a small rock and the rod went complete V. My front wheels went oposite directions and I was nearly killed...

Thanks for your concern and your post. Glad you wern't hurt. Welcome to TBN!!!!

Odd you should say that about the complete V.....as that is what happened to mine too. (I don't see how your wheels could go OPPOSITE directions with a bent tie rod tho) I'm not sure I hit it on anything....but it certainly was severely bent and I was very hung up on a stump at the time.....so I just assumed I had hit something (which is still likely).

 

[Therios Pendragon]

If I were you, I would keep a spare around. If this is the second time, I would think that you might want to prepare ahead of time. The next time, it my be metal stressed that it won't work anymore. That would be a bad time to figure out a replacement.

And I do agree that this is probably cheaper to replace that would be any of the other parts in the stearing train.