VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Tie Rod Ends

I'm trying to install new tie rod end components from The Filling Station installed in my 31 Chevy 1/2 ton truck - any trick to get the spring compressed enough to get the ball joint back into the tie rod end? I've checked the size and length of the parts that came out and it appears everything is the right size and length - just stubborn to put back together. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

1930 and 1931 used a different spring because the tie rod ends were shorter casings. It is a conical compression spring. I don't know of anyone that sells the springs but haven't checked closely at McMaster-Carr to see if they might have one that would work. Would have to take a tie rod apart to check the spring. Maybe someone else has one apart.

Also, you can't install the later coil springs in the 1931 tie rod ends, so if you have coil springs they ain't going to work.

Hello Airbob,
My 1931 Chevrolet Repair Manual from the 'Filling Station' (DG-118), page 101 shows all the tie rod components and how they are assembled in order. I see that the springs are conical shaped and that the small diameter end of the spring rests within a dished out bowl called the spring seat. Next against the large end of the spring is one of the two ball seats with it's notch aligned for the balls neck. At this point the ball goes into the slot of the tie rod body. You say that this is where you are having a problem, trying to insert the ball into the slot? Double check that something may be installed incorrectly causing interference issues. Did you have the same difficulty removing the ball when you took it apart? Let us know these answers and then we can go from there.

The components I took out are the same size and shape as the kit I received from FS. I remember when I removed the original components that it was difficult to remove the ball from the tie rod end. A few of the post mention conical shaped springs but thats not what came out. Could it be that both original and replacement parts are not the right ones? The innermost part of the tie rod end is conical shaped but the new parts don't seem to rest against the conical end, rather they load on the leading edge of the conical shape. It seems as if you could load the spring, the ball would fit nicely, then I could install the outer two pieces. Any help or ideas would help!

Airbob,
You may not have a '30-'31 tie rod. Both the length of the rod and ends are different from a '32 for instance. The assemblies (rod and two ends) will interchange however. If you take a photo and post it we can tell. I will try to get a couple of photos today and post them showing the difference.

You can measure the over-all length of a tie rod end itself and post the measurement here...then we can tell you what year your tie rod ends are.

Hello, I have changed the front axle link rod ends and found that you cannot put the fs kit springs in the 31 only on the tie rod ends will the springs supplied by fs fit.I had to put my old springs which are the conical shape back in and if you do find a spring that will fit make sure that it will compress by hand,because they are not a deep spring and a very light compression.there is not alot of room within the link rod end socket.

Hello Airbob,
Here is what I think that you may be dealing with concerning your tie rod repair kit FS-148 from the Filling Station. It fits all vehicle models from 1932 to 1959. The springs supplied are not tapered/conical. Seeing as the springs that you removed and the repair kit springs are the same, then someone in the past installed the wrong ones in your 31 tie rod ends. If you intend to make what you have work, then maybe you can try this: On assembly, grease the ball seat and ball good, put tie rod slot and ball together and install a radiator hose band clamp to hold them tightly together. Using a c-clamp and the band clamp together, tighten down to get ball to compress the spring so that ball will slide into it's ball seat. You may need to use a hammer and drift, from the open end of the tie rod housing, to tap on the ball seat helping to compress the spring while doing all this. Don't mess up the threads on the end of the housing. If you feel that there are no issues other than disassembly/assembly difficulties, then this should work.

Thanks Skip - I'll be back down at my hangar tomm. and will send the dimensions. I've tried to post pictures of the assemblies but I keep getting a message that my file is too large, but I don't know how to reduce the size of the file with my MacBook - computer illiterate! Appreciate your comments!

Hello Harrys31coach! Your suggestion might just work and in the meantime I'm trying to find a set of conical springs (hard to find). I appreciate your comments and will let you know what works out! Thanks!

Another make of car that used the conical tie-rod end springs you're chasing was 1928 to 1930 Oldsmobile,possibly 1931 Olds as well.They sound exactly like the ones in my '29 Olds Landau Sedan that I had made.

Skip - the tie rod ends are 4 1/2 inches long and the inside has a tapered conical shape pointing towards the tie rod! If you can tell what year from the dimension I'd sure like to know!

Thanks,

Rob

Okay, I will check.

The 1930-31 tie rod end is 4 1/2" long and it uses the conical spring. The 1932 tie rod end is 5" long and it uses the helical spring.

From what you describe, it sounds like you are trying to put a 1932 helical spring in a 1930-31 tie rod end and that isn't going to work. You will have to use the conical springs in your 1930-31 tie rod ends.

I have a bunch of front end parts in boxes. Not sure if I have the conical springs. Does anyone have a picture and a length measurement. I'll have a look in my spares.

Check out your 1929-32 parts book. There is an illustraton of the conical spring in the tie rod section.

Thanks Dog, I will and if I have any I'll let him know.

Thanks - so far everything on the truck checks out as a 31! I'll start looking for the correct springs and if you hear about anyone who has a set, please pass it along!

Did you ever get the conical springs? I have a pair. They are used of course. I will post pictures in the members photo section.

Yes - I purchased the conical springs and they went in as planned! Thanks for following up but mine are working fine for now!

Thanks!

Rob

Hello Airbob,
Who is the source for the conical springs? Name and part number would be good to know.

I think that Airbob may have picked up used springs from a private party.

Harrys31coach, I am the one that sold Bob the springs. I had some made from my old ones when I was restoring my 31 coupe.I have about 5 or 6 sets left. I am selling them for $10 a pair plus shipping. They are as close to original as can be. These are new, not used.

Sal,
I am interested in some. Sent you a PM with more details.