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my first cub question

Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2012 2:13 pm
by garyp
I'm trying to widen the width of the front end ,when i bought the tractor the left side was out three holes and right side only two so i'm trying to move out the right side to match . where i'm stuck is the steering rod, I can not slide out the inner rod it is stuck .also the rod is a little bent.Do you think heating it up would help
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Re: my first cub question

Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2012 2:22 pm
by lazyuniondriver
A little heat will certainly loosen things up, I prefer heat as a last resort since it can reduce the toughness of the metal in some cases and because open flame can be dangerous.

Try PB Blaster, Kroil, WD before reaching for the flame wrench.

As far as straightening out the bent end, yes heat would be my first choice vs. A cold bend. However I would suggest removing it from the tube and threading a couple of nuts on the end, clamping the nuts in the vise then proceeding with the heating and straightening process. Good luck.

Re: my first cub question

Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2012 2:47 pm
by Peter Person
Gary,
Bent tie-rods are pretty common as they are very vulnerable.
I was wanting to do a front end alignment however mine would not slide apart due to a slight bend so last fall at CubFest Northeast I used Cecil's press and straightened them out, no heat, and soaked them good with Kroil. They gradually came apart. Once apart a good cleaning/derusting and put back together with anti-sieze, and then onto the alignment.

Peter

Re: my first cub question

Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2012 3:31 pm
by garyp
Thanks , but just had a friend help and he put some heat on it and we got it out to the next noch, now just letting it cool down, Thanks again