Steering Linkage Rubber

[Deleted User]

Now that I have Hannah road worthy enough to drive, I am in need of some more parts to improve the drive.

Outside the tie-rod ends with ball joints......Is the rubber replaceable in all the other steering linkage joints? I have a lot
of slop in the steering.

Based on observations in the engine bay most of the slop is outside after the steering column.

RL Chilton

Tie rods, kingpins, and the center steering bearing can all get "sloppy" and probably need to be addressed. There is an adjustment in the steering box proper, but I would look further down the line first.

[Deleted User]

The play in your front end is probably lost motion from a worn center point steering bearing
If there is any up and down movement on the lower arm when steering wheel is moved back and fourth it is worn.
Have a helper rock the steering wheel back and fourth and crawl under front bumper and watch.

[Deleted User]

TallentR, Thank you. I know the tie rod ends need to be replaced. They fail a visual instpection but at still good solid metal. I think I remember being told that some for a Ford truck fit and are available from RockAuto at a reasonable price.

You are in the Gateway Chapter area, aren't you?

[Deleted User]

Yes ,I live just outside St. Louis by about 35 miles . My swaps book says 46-47 Ford will fit most stepdowns. If only the rubber is bad and its the umbrella shape I see the rubber sold seperate on ebay at times.
Hope to see you if you get up this way,
Roger

Lee ODell

Glad to see you have Hannah back on the road and she arrived home safely.

The umbrella type rubber for tie rod ends are available. They will do a better job keeping water and dirt from interring the tie rod socket than the original type rubber. I have replaced the original tie rod rubber with umbrella type rubber on my Hudsons.

"They fail a visual inspection but at still good solid metal." I'm not sure what you mean. I have had a few customers cars where loose tie rod ends and also ball joints literally came apart after putting them on alignment rack when I start checking for loosness. Very scarry considering I just drove the cars to see how they were handling before checking suspension components and wheel alignment. God was my co-pilot. Not only does the ball part of the tie rod wear but the metal inside the tie rod that surrounds the ball wears also. There is no way to determine when a loose tie rod will come apart. I strongly recommend replacing any loose tie rod end. At least the center point steering part has a bolt through it to keep it from seperating from the crossmember. Tie rod ends do not have that safety feature.

I agree that the greatest amount of slop in steering is most likely worn center point steering bearing.

The only time I have seen a tie rod pin break away from the tie rod ball inside the tie rod is when car was involved in an accident. Most of the time the tie rod pin only bends and stays intact with tie rod.

"Road worthy" Not likely with worn tie rod ends or any loose suspension parts.
Again, I strongly recommend replacing any loose tie rod ends!!!!!

Lee O'Dell

[Deleted User]

Dell: My tied rods are not loose in the sense they are bad, but the rubber is dry and cracked.

Ken: That is what I am looking for. I was taught that you always bought the whole rod end.

mdwhit

Went to Rock Auto's web site to buy 4 of these. Their price of $2.96 for 4 rubber boots is great, but the cost to ship to San Diego was shown as $11.74, which would bring the total total cost to $14.70. In the past I have tried to buy from them, but their exorbitant shipping (and handling) is crazy, so unless the part at Rock Auto is really cheap, I usually buy elsewhere!

lostmind

I agree mdwhit . The other thing they do is ship from different terminals so you have to pay
separate shipping. You can't combine shipping. They send something by FedEx that could go first class mail for $3.00.
I don't buy there any more unless it's something I need and it's on close out price.
Seems like they must get a kick back from FedEx.

Lee ODell

Because of shipping cost sometimes total expense is less expensive at the local auto parts store. Especially if the part turns out to be wrong.

Not all tie rods pins are the same diameter. Not all dust boots have the same size whole. Make sure the boot you order will fit snuggly around pin. If the boot hole is larger than the pin diameter water and dirt can and will enter the tie rod. I have seen this error many times. It is the little details that make a difference.

Lee O'Dell

Lee ODell

Ken, thank you for all the good information.

Pacemaker500, glad to see your tie rods are in good shape.

These new dust boots will probably outlast the tie rods.

There are 21 zerk fitting on the front suspension including tie rods. Hudson recommends lub job every 1,000 miles. This reminds me my stepdown is due for lub job.

Checking for worn suspension is a good habit to have every time the suspension is lubed.

Lee

[Deleted User]

Pacemaker, I read where you went on a trip into southern Indiana, and you mentioned Scottsburg. I live about 30 or so miles southwest from there. And I live about 15 to 20 minutes from I-65 and I-64. Are you going to Frenchlick next year? I am about an hour and a half from there, and I plan on driving my Jet there.

Barry Smedley
53 Super Jet
and a bunch of Crosley's

[Deleted User]

Hooisercrosley,

We are planning to come the Frenchlick. Due to job contraints, we will arrive Friday evening and stay through Sunday.

My Pacemaker was purchased from the Hudson dealership in Madison, IN by my wife's grandparents. It had always been an Indiana car until we took full ownership and possession.

While we were transitioning from Active Duty to civilian life, the car came back to Indiana (we lived in Scottsburg most of the summer) until we closed on our house here in Southern Illinois (the only place to offer us jobs). Last weekend was the first chance we had to go back and get the car.