Page 1 of 1

Tie Rod Troubles

Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2004 1:32 pm
by GewPao
OK Folks, Here is this month's problem here in Northeast Carolina.

My '47 cub left front (driver's side) tie rod poped out of the center socket this weekend. (I have the adjustable front end)

It keeps jumping out. (Tried three times)

Parts are a problem in this area of N.C.

Question: What are my options?

Don't be shy - Please let me know what kind of trouble I have this time.

Thanks for all your help -- Again

G.E. Whitley

Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2004 1:54 pm
by Lurker Carl
Sounds like the ball and the steering arm are worn. However, check the parts manual to make sure you have all the pieces! Here's links to Rudi's parts catalog:

http://www.cleancomputes.com/Cub/Cub%20Parts%20Manuals/TC-37A%20Parts%20Calalog/Page%2046.jpg
http://www.cleancomputes.com/Cub/Cub%20Parts%20Manuals/TC-37A%20Parts%20Calalog/Page%2050.jpg

A worn ball can be built back up by a welder, other board members have more experience doing that than I do. Check with JP or TM (links are on the home page), they can probably supply you with any needed parts.

Good luck!

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 2:40 pm
by GewPao
Carl,

Thanks for the info.

I was worried that I would have to try and BUY tie rods.

I had the balls on both rods built up with an electric welder. Ground them and made them as round as possible.

I ran the old '47 for a couple of hours on Saturday and everything went fine. In fact, of the 25 years my dad and I have had that Cub, it is the best the steering has felt.

Once again You all have saved this old Tar Heel a bucket of money.

The guy down the road did the welding in about 3 minutes and was insulted when I tried to pay him. The country life is still alive and well out here in the county.

Thanks again Guys

George in Carolina!

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 10:04 pm
by parts man
It's great when folks get questions answered by the great folks here, and here's mine,,, what's a "Tar Heel"?? :lol:

Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 8:03 am
by Lurker Carl
"Tar heels" are North Carolina folks. In colonial times, rendering tar from pine was a big industry in NC. I guess the name stuck over the centuries, like tar.

Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 3:14 pm
by GewPao
Last Comment On Tar Heels! - It never hurts to inform the folks up north.

The nickname's source is also traced to the Civil War. Retreating soldiers left a column of North Carolinians to battle the enemy alone. Later, the North Carolinians met the fleeing troops and told them for the next battle we'll put tar on your heels to make them stick. Gen. Robert E. Lee, on hearing the story, reportedly exclaimed, "God bless the Tar Heel boys."

GOOD OL CAROLINA CUB OWNER!

George

Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 9:55 pm
by parts man
Thanks for the explanations!!! I really enjoy hearing local expressions form different locales. I've also learned through the internet experience that the same phrase can mean two TOTALLY diffferent things in different places. :lol:
Here in NB evidentily we "warsh" our cars using water from the "crick". :D While on PEI, they won't go "boikin" if there is any "oyc", cause it's too "slippy". :lol:

Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 12:46 pm
by cayres
looking at the diagram in the previous post - what part number is it in the diagram is the "Ball" in the steering arm?

The reason for my question is that I want to find out what should be done to tighten the steering in an old Cub to make it turn easy.

My Cub does not turn as easy as I think it could.

Curtiss

Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 2:20 pm
by GewPao
Curtiss,

George - Tar Heel Here!

My '47 cub steering was all over the place ever since my family purchased it over 25 years ago.

Now that I have had the two balls on the end of the tie rods built up, the steering is nice and tight. (None of this back and forth movement.) There is just a little play with both tie rods. (Back and forth rocking - nothing like it was before the left one fell out of the socket.)

My concern with this building up the balls is that I may have added to much mass to the ball and now I am putting extra pressure on the socket. (I pack the grease in better good.) It drives a lot better, but I don't know if I am on the road to bigger problems later on.

Maybe some of the guys who have had this problem can give us some more insight on where we are headed.

I don't want my '47 to end up like the e-bay shot of the "poor cub" that fell off the truck. They are some sad pictures. Causes this old country boy to tear up.

George in Carolina

Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 5:31 pm
by George Willer
George,

This from another GEW...

One possible problem you should be aware of... The two bolts that hold the lower plate in place to grip the "balls" should bottom without putting any bending stress on the plate or clamping the balls tightly. You should add whatever shims are necessary so the plate is tight. The reason... the plate is hardened and will break in it is forced to bend.