The Ford Barn

Tom maxwell · 12-11-2013, 09:04 PM

I have been through past threads about the tie rod rubbing against the drag link rod. I have slight signs of these rods rubbing on my A.
I have a stock pitman arm.
I was looking for the measurement that these rods were apart when new.
Also I am interested in the measurement that will tell me if I have excessive sag in the front leaf springs by just measuring the car on the tires and the weight of the car on the springs.
The dimensions in the catalogs are always with the springs out of the car.
30 coupe
Thanks
Tom

Joe K · 12-11-2013, 09:16 PM

Do you have the original wishbone/bellhousing connection or the aftermarket black hollow rubber ball?

Joe K

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 12-11-2013, 09:25 PM

A sagging front spring is the #1 cause of this. It will actually wear a flat-spot on the drag link.

The easiest way I tell is by looking at the space between the wheel and fender, and in the fron, look at the spring hangers (shackles) and see if they are hanging at near 45 degrees.

Mitch//pa · 12-12-2013, 07:32 AM

as Brent said sagging front spring

P.S. · 12-12-2013, 08:09 AM

Les Andrews showed me that if a spring is still in good shape, you should be able to slip your index finger between the bottom of the shackle and the spring. If they are too close together, chances are your spring is weak.

Tom maxwell · 12-12-2013, 01:00 PM

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Thanks guys.
I will check the clearence on the spring shackles. The angle appears to be very close to a 45 degree
Also this weekend i will check the radius ball.
But, I'm still inerested in the diemension when the car is on the rubber.

I have about 1/4" clearance when on the rubber, but there are signs that somewhere along its years the rods have rubbed.
Is there a dimension between the rods?

Tom

Tom maxwell · 12-12-2013, 01:05 PM

Guys
here is a picture of my front ends. If you see something out of place beside the diconnected tie rod and drag link , let me know..
Tom

Purdy Swoft · 12-12-2013, 01:27 PM

The spring appears to not be an original. It looks too large where the shackle enters.

larrys40 · 12-12-2013, 01:31 PM

Tom,
As Brent said a sagging spring is the primary cause of this. Another easy tip off of a worn/sagging spring is take a look a the car from the front. A good spring will have the entire front axle visible below the front splash apron.. or very close to fully visible. I see you have an aftermarket spring and foreign shackles on it.... Just beware that there are several suppliers of springs out there. some are better than others.... older nors and original shackles are better than the foreign replacement shackles as well. I think if you fix the front spring you will fix your problem. Another potention problem.. I just took one apart last week that had a broken center bolt. When that happens the axle can shift a little and cause issues as well.

Larry Shepard

Larry

12-11-2013, 09:16 PM	#2
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,188	Re: Tie rod close to the drag link rod Do you have the original wishbone/bellhousing connection or the aftermarket black hollow rubber ball? Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.

12-11-2013, 09:25 PM	#3
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,509	Re: Tie rod close to the drag link rod A sagging front spring is the #1 cause of this. It will actually wear a flat-spot on the drag link. The easiest way I tell is by looking at the space between the wheel and fender, and in the fron, look at the spring hangers (shackles) and see if they are hanging at near 45 degrees. __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

12-12-2013, 07:32 AM	#4
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Tie rod close to the drag link rod as Brent said sagging front spring

12-12-2013, 08:09 AM	#5
P.S. Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: California Posts: 1,695	Re: Tie rod close to the drag link rod Les Andrews showed me that if a spring is still in good shape, you should be able to slip your index finger between the bottom of the shackle and the spring. If they are too close together, chances are your spring is weak.

12-12-2013, 01:00 PM	#6
Tom maxwell Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Westchester ny Posts: 68	Re: Tie rod close to the drag link rod Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks guys. I will check the clearence on the spring shackles. The angle appears to be very close to a 45 degree Also this weekend i will check the radius ball. But, I'm still inerested in the diemension when the car is on the rubber. I have about 1/4" clearance when on the rubber, but there are signs that somewhere along its years the rods have rubbed. Is there a dimension between the rods? Tom

12-11-2013, 09:04 PM	#1
Tom maxwell Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Westchester ny Posts: 68	Tie rod close to the drag link rod I have been through past threads about the tie rod rubbing against the drag link rod. I have slight signs of these rods rubbing on my A. I have a stock pitman arm. I was looking for the measurement that these rods were apart when new. Also I am interested in the measurement that will tell me if I have excessive sag in the front leaf springs by just measuring the car on the tires and the weight of the car on the springs. The dimensions in the catalogs are always with the springs out of the car. 30 coupe Thanks Tom

12-12-2013, 01:27 PM	#8
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Tie rod close to the drag link rod The spring appears to not be an original. It looks too large where the shackle enters.

12-12-2013, 01:31 PM	#9
larrys40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St Charles , Missouri Posts: 1,998	Re: Tie rod close to the drag link rod Tom, As Brent said a sagging spring is the primary cause of this. Another easy tip off of a worn/sagging spring is take a look a the car from the front. A good spring will have the entire front axle visible below the front splash apron.. or very close to fully visible. I see you have an aftermarket spring and foreign shackles on it.... Just beware that there are several suppliers of springs out there. some are better than others.... older nors and original shackles are better than the foreign replacement shackles as well. I think if you fix the front spring you will fix your problem. Another potention problem.. I just took one apart last week that had a broken center bolt. When that happens the axle can shift a little and cause issues as well. Larry Shepard Larry