bent tie rod

RedDog · Sep 7, 2005

From what I have seen, they do not look like they hang low. I guess I'm going to have to crawl underneath one and take a close up look.

What exactly are you guys doing? Heck Monday night I was out crushing cars with mine! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif But that is a whole "nother" thread. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

RedDog

KiotiJohn · Sep 7, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I am going to keep this to myself as much as possible so I am not shamed and ridiculed by those brands with better support and the I told you so crowd. )</font>
Well, I wouldn't say posting to this thread is keeping anything to yourself, nor should you have to.
Those brands with better support all have parts issues similar to this. Tie rods are not exactly the kind of thing every dealer would keep on the shelves anyway. Filters, belts, bulbs, things like that are common, and many others, but a lot of other major parts are not kept on hand.
Not that it's not irritating, but it's more common across all brands than one may think.
John

BigDogues · Sep 8, 2005

Well, I just had a better look. Definitely my fault. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Those New Hampshire rocks are unforgiving. Looks like I crushed a couple or zercs as well. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Really wasn't planning on doing all this work on my 50 hr service. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Batche33 · Sep 8, 2005

On 8/24 I ordered a tie rod for one of our customers (he had the CK30 about 3 weeks). The part was backordered. We received it 7 days later.
Take it easy on Kioti, they're really getting there stuff together (my parts guy at Kioti is great!)

Batchelder Sales
Lebanon, Me

Highbeam · Sep 8, 2005

I messed up the paint trying to straighten the tie-rod, perhaps you're right that they are buckling from sideload rather than bending from impact. Certainly a possibility and a good idea. I am leaning towards running into something and not feeling it with the HST tranny allowing a cushion to the load.

I expect every brand to have some issues but the first time something breaks on the first day of work and I can not get the one part I need is a bad sign. It is ordered, maybe 7 days, but the Kioti guy wasn't budging on 2 weeks minimum. If I had bought ten parts and then the 11th part was backordered I may have more confidence.

By keeping this to myself, I mean me and the Kioti folks. Imagine this in the Kubota forum, or the general O&M forum.

BigDogues · Sep 8, 2005

You know, RedRocker armored the tar out his CK30. I wonder if he has bent a tie rod? He had some pretty rough terrain. Think I'll send him a PM.

RedRocker · Sep 8, 2005

I couldn't see a way to cover the tie rod, I haven't had any trouble yet though.

Highbeam · Sep 8, 2005

To cover the tie rod maybe an extension of the redrocker plate forward and up to the front frame plate. Clearance must be provided for the front axle to articulate but I would rather loose a couple of inches then lose a couple of tie-rods.

My old bulldozer had a belly pan front to rear. Basicly the same thing would be nice on the CK. If a guy mowed lawns or plowed fields all day it would be fine OEM, but it has been demonstrated that even modest rough terrain work can lead to damage of the soft underbelly.

BigDogues · Sep 8, 2005

Did all of your grease fitting survive intact? I sheared off at least one of mine that go to the front axels near the front differential.
When I get home I am going to do a more thorough inventory.

Highbeam · Sep 8, 2005

All zercs are fine and greased. The front bushing one is getting a little tough to put grease into but the zercs seem unaffected. The tie rod bent back like I hit a short stump rather than up like I rode up on a log.