Sloppy tie rods

[vwfish]

NEXT!!

Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy.....the tie rods flop around where they connect into the steering gear arm.
Question is, how do I know if it's the balls on the end of the tie rod, or up inside the steering gear arm?

[Cecil]

Start by taking the cotter pin out of the end of the tie rod and tightening them up. There is a slot to put a screw driver in.

[Scrivet]

First grease them good. That may be all it takes. Make sure both sides are getting grease.

Second it may be time to remove a shim or put in a thinner one (there are at least two thicknesses) if there are any left in there. Looks like this from TM http://www.tmtractor.com/new/st/2471fp.htm take out the two bolts and seperate the halves and adjust the amount of shims thinner.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

If I understood correctly, you are talking about where they connect at the center. Originally there are shims between the upper and lower halves that can be removed to compensate for wear.

[vwfish]

I'll check for the shims.
If there aren't any left????

[BIGHOSS]

Before you try to tighten the castle nut on the steering arm, loosen the small bolt on the rear of the arm that acts as a clamp. You cannot tighten the castle nut until you do this. Don't ask how I know this.

[vwfish]

Plenty of shims....2 thick and 1 thin plus the out ends of the bottom cap were bent.
Straightened the cap, removed a thick shim and that tightened it right up.

Thanks for the help....again!