Farmall A tie-rod question

Tom Fleming · Jun 16, 2009

I had to replace the front axel on my Farmall A. Got the tie-rods off with no issue. Cleaned them up, etched, primed, and painted them. Put them back together, and went to put them on the tractor after replacing the front axel.........and the one tie rod will NOT go on, as it appears the ball-joint insert is too thick. This really has me puzzled, as both rods were on the tractor.

so, either I am doing something realy stupid (very high possibility), or something is wrong. I will share that the ball-joint inserts with the flat ends are not the same thickness. I tried them on both sides with the same results. Thin one works like a champ, thick one will not provide enough clearance to fit over the ball. :roll:

Any thoughts, suggestions, or a kick in the pants to indicate what I am doing wrong?

Anyone know a source for replacement inserts, or what the thickness measurement is for the correct size?

Jim Becker · Jun 16, 2009

The pieces all came out so they will all fit back in. I don't remember if the tie rod can be turned too far into the rie rod end and use up some of the space needed for the ball seat. Check it.

Could you have the center ball seat (from the steering gear arm) mixed into one of your tie rod ends?

Brownie 450 · Jun 17, 2009

Could one of the "flat & cup" inserts be in backwards not letting the ball have enough room to be inserted? Do you have the threaded plug backed out enough?

Tom Fleming · Jun 17, 2009

Jim, that's a good thought. Can anyone tell me if the tie-rod inserts are a different size than the inserts for the steering arm? Unfortunately, the insert in the steering arm is stuck, and I am trying to come up ways to get it out to see if I mixed them up.

Jim Becker · Jun 17, 2009

The threaded one is the same part number for both locations, so I assume they are all the same diameter. Each of the other 3 positions are different part numbers. Maybe the steering gear arm should have the thicker one.

Tom Fleming · Jun 18, 2009

Jim, one last question. I don't have the manual for the A, but can you tell me if there are 4 inserts? 2 tie rod (flat ends), and 2 for the steering arm (1 two sided, and 1 flat end)?

Jim Becker · Jun 18, 2009

(quoted from post at 02:53:57 06/18/09) Jim, one last question. I don't have the manual for the A, but can you tell me if there are 4 inserts? 2 tie rod (flat ends), and 2 for the steering arm (1 two sided, and 1 flat end)?

Yes, that is correct. You end up with one insert (ball seat) on each side of each ball, with the center position a two-sided piece.

Jim Becker · Jun 18, 2009

The parts catalog is on the CaseIH site http://www1.caseih.com/northamerica/PartsService/Pages/search.aspx. The outer ends are illustrated with the front axle. The center with the steering gear. Unfortunately, the images are not that good. Even if enlarged, the parts in question are little more than blobs. Still may be some help to look at it.

Tom Fleming · Jun 19, 2009

Jim, thanks very much. I appreciate the replies (thanks too Brownie). I will work on getting the other insert out of the steering arm.

This one had me stumped, and it now all makes sense.

Tom Fleming · Jun 20, 2009

My mystery is solved, and I thought I would post for future reference, so no one else has to go through my trouble.

There are 2 ball-joint inserts for the center steering arm. One is flat on one side, and rather thick 1/2" (thicker than the ones for the tie-rod ends). It goes at the bottom (end) of the blind side of the steering arm. Next, goes the ball-joint end of the tie rod. Next goes the double sided insert. Then install the opposite tie-rod. Lastly, install the set-screw.

The inserts for the tie-rod ends are approx 5/16" thick, and are flat on 1 side. One per side, with the flat end (of course) going into the far end of the tie-rod end.

I found that I had 1 of the tie-rod end inserts "missing" as someone in the past installed 2 7/16" washers as the ball joint inserts. I thought they were just spacers for wear. Turns out, they were intended to be the insert.

Went to the local tractor grave yard, Charlie Burgh's, and retrieved another insert.

Works like a champ.

Farmall A tie-rod question

Tom Fleming

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Jim Becker

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Brownie 450

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Tom Fleming

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Jim Becker

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Tom Fleming

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Jim Becker

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Jim Becker

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Tom Fleming

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Tom Fleming

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