Tie Rod End Replacement Mahindra 5035

[NewGuyInNewEngland]

Seasons greetings all.

Was swapping out my loaders bucket for my snowblade as is sop this time of year.
Before doing so I flattened some small saplings to make room for snow movement in the event of some heavy snow fall this winter.

I noticed one of the front wheels seemed to be slipping/skidding slightly as though the front tires weren't trackng together. Then, while turning the steering wheel, I felt/heard a strong "Click/thunk"... The tie rod end on the left side looked fine but I couldn't see the other side. So parked big red in the garage and took a look. Yikes...the tie rod end had completely pulled apart!
A few weeks ago I did some brush removal and climbed up the side of a fallen pine tree to push brush father away. I can only guess that's when I did the damage as I haven't used her since.

See pics below.

Can't seem to find a replacement procedure in the free manual I downloaded or any 'tube vids...so I'm guessing once its freed from the arm on the wheel assembly it will slide out.

The replacement part pic (ordered tonight from Bills Tractor) shows splines in the end of the shaft...seems pretty straight forward...remove the retaining bolt on the steering arm and slide out the bad, reverse for installation, but thought I'd reach out for confirmation I'm on the right track.

Thank you in advance for any support offered.

Gusser

 

[Mike1955]

Good luck! Wish I could help but I’m not the guy for this

 

[NewGuyInNewEngland]

Haha! Appreciate your transparency and Thanks for the well wishes... Surprised no one with mahindra experience has chimed in yet but I just posted last night so maybe by the weekend.

 

[Harry in Ky]

Pretty straight forward? Up to a point. Which part are you replacing? The one attached to the tire/wheel assembly, the one threaded (there are no splines) onto the steering cylinder rod, or both as a package deal? Bear in mind where the two parts thread together is the adjustment for the toe in of the front tires, so try to get as close as possible to the same number of exposed threads when you're done. This should get you pretty close.

 

[NewGuyInNewEngland]

Looking at the picture of the part I ordered you are correct...there are no splines, only threads on each end...my 68 year old eyes are playing tricks on me...

Judging by the photo I'll be replacing both, although I believe the part that connects to the tire/wheel assembly is undamaged...it's the other side that seems to be kinked/broken...how it's staying together I don't know...when I turn the wheel the click/thunk felt/heard (even with hearing protectors on) when the piece gives way and angles inward is pretty loud. Compared to the new piece it seems the end of the shiny part where the threaded rod protrudes from is actually cracked and partially broken off, causing the play resulting in bad wheel tracking and the snapping of the joint when turning the wheel stop to stop.
I guess I'm lucky it didnt break completely!

I didn't see any individual parts offered online, only this assembly, so I'll be unthreading the assembly from the steering box(?) once i remove it from the wheel steering arm.

Thanks for your input Harry.
I'll keep the alignment aspect in mind during the process.
I'll post an update when I attempt the replacement.

 

[Harry in Ky]

Okay, I see what your working with. One more word of advice. When you finally do get into it, jack that tire off the ground. It will make all this MUCH easier.

 

[NewGuyInNewEngland]

Good advice. In fact the front tires are a bit low in pressure...something I was to address before the tie rod issue was found. I'll pump them up to pressure before starting work.
Thanks again Harry.

 

[NewGuyInNewEngland]

Well looks like I damaged the seal on the other side of the ps cylinder...found a small puddle of hydraulic oil on the floor. The leak has stopped but ordered a seal kit just in case it stars again when I start the engine after replacing the damaged tie rod. Will check fluid level first too.

I do have a pdf version of the factory manual which details how to dissasemble the ps unit and replace the seals so hopefully the drama will end there.

Any other hints/tips?

Thanks.
Gus