MTFCA Forum

The tie rod bushings of my spindle arms are not parallel with my spindle bolts. They are tipped upward a little. I loosened my spindle arms while I rebuild the axle assembly. I reinstalled the tie rod with arms loose. When I turn the spindles from side to side the tie rod binds on the arms but only at the extremes . They don't bind at the middle straight ahead position. When I test it with one tie rod end disconnected, the free tie rod end goes up and down as I turn the spindles. That means the arm bushings are tipped forward at the top relative to the spindle bolts. How can I straighten them? Heat? Press? Other ideas? I have neither a torch or press.

Are you sure you have them on the correct side and the bend turned correctly. Its easy to get things turned around
Pictures of your set-up would also help others understand the situation & resolve.

I'll take photos today. They are the same as I disassembled them.

yours is not an uncommon problem

a large pipe wrench will tweek the angle back to parallel with the kingpins without significant effort. I have an antique, smooth-jawed pipe wrench that sees regular use for such jobs. With thin aluminum-sheet pads cushioning the jaws such that they will conform to the part rather than dent it, the work can often be done without any real paint damage if the paint has good adhesion.

I think I have them on correctly. My part numbers don't match the axle book. I have T282B on the right and T270B on the left.

I used a 4-foot piece of heavy pipe over the end of the arm to straighten it. I didn't get to the other one yet. I'll finish tomorrow. Thanks for the tip, Scott. Cheers.