VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1933-1936 1935 master truck 1.5 ton (QC) tie rod

I have a fire truck built on a 1935 chevy QC chassis ( master truck 1.5 ton 157 WB single rear wheels) somewhere along the way to me it appears that it was tied down to a trailer by wrapping a chain or strap around the front axle AND the tie rod severely bending the tie rod. How and where can I find this tie rod and ends. The tie rod has a 1 inch OD diameter and I really don't know how long it was exactly because of the bend. anyone have a part number or the dimensions of this tie rod. I have already ordered and received a tie rod and ends that are much smaller ( 1/2 ton size most likely) I am lost

I have straightened several tie rods that have gotten bent. One of them was on a 55 panel truck that one spindle locked up on. While turning around in the driveway the steering wheel would still turn and it turned that tie rod into a horseshoe.

Loosen the tie rod ends, pull it off and take it to a shop with a press. The tie rod is heavy mild steel and there won't be any problems. Don't lose any of the springs or ball cups. When reinstalling grease everything up tighten the threaded cups down as far as they will go and loosen to the first cotter pin hole.

ok update - I have the tie rod off. I tried to straighten it as much as I could to measure it. I came up with about 44 and 5/8 inches long ( this is not exact it still has a little bend) the tie rod is hollow. the tie rod ends that go into the tie rod have 13/16 th threads at 18 threads per inch. ( the ends are bad too ). The other ends of the tie rods have a tapered shaft.

The tie rod matches almost exactly with thw tie rod for a 1946 - 1954 chevy 1 and 1 1/2 ton truck ( 44 1/2 inch long 13/16 18 TPI. hollow ( parts catalog # 377988 ) ) Could this be one and the same for my 1935 ? ( at least that's what the data plate calls it) If so I would have to locate the rod and ends for this.

The tie rods may well be the same length but check that the tie rod ends are the same, the later may be a different type.
Tony

I straightened one on a 1/2 ton '36 truck by laying it on the ground and hitting the high side with a 3 lb. sledge hammer. After straightening it I rolled it over a 4x8 sheet of 1" plywood to check for high spots. A few more whacks and it came true. It works great. I saved a ton of money doing it myself. Be sure you look at the "balls" on those tie ends. They wear on the under side where the post hooks to the ball. Look for cut marks on the shaft just under the ball. Replacements are "pressed" into the eye on the end of the shaft. (a machine shop does that).

I did try to straighten out this hollow tie rod - a little better but I wouldn't use it. I feel it will never be as strong where the bend was. Terrill, sounds like you are talking about an old style tie rod end. There is no ball or post that I know of. Looks like a modern tie rod end . I was told that in mid to late 1935 the 1.5 ton got the hollow ( they say stainless) tie rod and the modern ends. I think I can find the ends but the tie rod - no luck yet

Click on the Flag mail for a message to you....

I'll check to see what I have.

Mike
Missouri