Tie Rod Question
 

Working on my somewhat modified Model A. I'm running into a slight rub problem when turning the steering wheel at full lock. My question is would it be possible to reverse or turn the tie rod upside down and still be safe and functional without hitting the wishbone? What I'm asking is if I was to take the tie rod balls out and turn them over and mount the tie rod on the bottom but still be over the wishbone if that makes sense.

There's ruffly about a 1 1/2" clearance from the tie rod to the wishbone, from my measurements if I flipped the tie rod over I would have about 1/4" clearance. The only thing I could see happening would be if you were to hit a pothole and then it could rub the wishbone.

Thoughts?

I know about the H.A.M.B and searched there but didn't see anything related to my question and if possible I would like to not raise the motor.

Will give more details if needed.

Thanks.

Re: Tie Rod Question
 

To start with, it sounds like the spindle bolt (king pin) locks are missing, -or not stopping the spindle from turning too far. With a stock steering arm, you can't really flip them over because there is a 'D' shaped area cast into the arm that locks the arm into the spindle to keep it from rotating, ...and also the steering balls are supposed to be welded to the steering arms.

Just so we are clear, if it has a stock wishbone mounted in the stock location, then the tie-rod will stay in the same place in relation to the wishbone throughout the entire travel of the suspension.

Re: Tie Rod Question
 

Leroy: Enlighten us on what your frontend is made up of. I'm thinking from your avatar it's not "stock".
Paul in CT

Re: Tie Rod Question
 

32 spindles, 40 Ford brakes, model a tie rod and wishbone.

Re: Tie Rod Question
 

Dropped axle too?? You might want to go over to the HAMB, Banger section and post there. Could also try heating the steering arms on the spindle and "finesse" them a bit. That's been done thousands of times before when installing a dropped axle.
Paul in CT