Bent Tie Rod

[srs]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Do not heat it. )</font>

Rat, why can't or shouldn't you heat it?

 

[JerryG]

After looking at the pictures, I wouldn't hesitate at all to put it in a press and straighten it out. I don't even think that I would reinforce it. That is a good clean bend.

 

[beenthere]

Thanks for the pics. I'd just bend it back. Too heavy to do it with a conduit bender /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

A press should do it easy, and a little paint, and you won't know it happened.

Might be nice to figure out how it happened, so to avoid it in the future. Maybe a heavy stick (limb) in the woods? Those sticks seem to have a mind of their own, and 'know' how to place themselves just right to do the deed. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[_RaT_]

A tie rod seems to be made of more then mild steel and would therefore question whether I am changing those properties. I find a press bends it very easy, a vise is almost impossible. I straightened one from a Kubota L4850 several times.

 

[Jim1764]

beenthere I've been trying to think back to figure out what I could have done to bend it. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif The only thing that comes to mind was a white pine stump about 6" in diameter that I was popping out of the ground with the front bucket. The stump may have gone under the front of the tractor while I was fighting with it and bent the tie rod. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Jim

 

[HammerFour]

I wouldn't reinforce it, you want that tie rod to be the weak link if something applies a lot of force to the steering mechanism.

One time I had some tie rods that kept bending, so I replaced them with upsized titanium ones...the next thing I knew I was breaking steering arms and kingpin holders. Ok, so that was on my r/c cars I was racing but the same rules apply, you want the cheap, easily replaced parts to fail when needed to protect the expensive, hard to replace pieces.

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Highbeam]

On my Kioti the tie rod also hangs low. I bent the bajeepers out of it and replaced it with new. I also tore the tie rod end boot with the pickle fork so be careful about that too. I also do not remember hitting anything.

I agree with others to not reinforce it.

 

[RobJ]

How is it driving? I didn't really notice mine was bent but the steering was off. Going down the road it pulled hard to the right. Started looking and saw the rod. Be sure to check the alignment procedures in the manual when re installing. If I recall you measure the front and rear of a tread, then give it a little toe in. Then take it for a 11.5mph test drive.

 

[Jim1764]

Well the tie rod is all repaired and installed. I had my brother in-law, who is the service manager for a local John Deere construction (yellow tractors) dealer, bend it at work. He told me that this was nothing compared to some of the bigger tractors that come in with tie rods looking like pretzels /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
Here are a few pictures of the repair.
Again thanks for all the advise.

Jim

 

[Jim1764]

Picture 2, tie rod installed