Outer Tie Rods - Up or Down?? [Archive]

richtersand

04-21-2021, 05:29 PM

Hi all, quick question for you. I finally got my POL power steering rack yesterday so started installing last night. I started putting the outer tie rods into the spindles top down because it seemed like the obvious fit. I then saw in the manual that they are installed bottom up. I tried to move it to the bottom up but it doesn't fit that well at all. I would have to uncomfortably bend the inner tie rods down to get them to even clear the spindle, let alone getting the bolt through. Before I do that, I wanted to confirm bottom up is definitely the way to install these. Thanks in advance!

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=146648&d=1619043810

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=146647&d=1619043789

Lickity-Split

04-21-2021, 05:33 PM

You'll want the tie rods to move up and down parallel to the lower control arm. Your second picture above looks pretty good.

Jeff Kleiner

04-21-2021, 05:55 PM

The tie rods insert from the bottom with the threads facing up. The reason you’re having difficulty is because you have installed the steering arms on the wrong sides and upside down. Swap sides and turn them over. They need to angle outward with the smooth machined surface facing up and the wide end of the tapered bore facing down.

Jeff

rich grsc

04-21-2021, 06:00 PM

You'd think reading the manual should be mandatory :rolleyes:

CFranks

04-21-2021, 06:01 PM

And after you swap them make sure to buy new hub nuts when you put it all back together, they’re 1 time use. Ask me how I know...

mosh1999

04-21-2021, 07:16 PM

The tie rods insert from the bottom with the threads facing up. The reason you’re having difficulty is because you have installed the steering arms on the wrong sides and upside down. Swap sides and turn them over. They need to angle outward with the smooth machined surface facing up and the wide end of the tapered bore facing down.

Jeff

This is correct

richtersand

04-21-2021, 10:59 PM

The tie rods insert from the bottom with the threads facing up. The reason you’re having difficulty is because you have installed the steering arms on the wrong sides and upside down. Swap sides and turn them over. They need to angle outward with the smooth machined surface facing up and the wide end of the tapered bore facing down.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff, appreciate the help. That really sucks, but glad to catch it now.

richtersand

04-21-2021, 11:06 PM

And after you swap them make sure to buy new hub nuts when you put it all back together, they’re 1 time use. Ask me how I know...

Thanks for the heads up. Ordering a couple new ones now.

egchewy79

04-22-2021, 07:47 AM

I did the same thing. Fortunately I hadn't attached the hub nuts yet. I'll have to say, the manual does not really clearly mention that the arms have a tapered bore and I happened to post something that one of the forum regulars quickly picked up on.

CraigS

04-23-2021, 08:02 AM

The problem is that the spindles and steering arms are also used on the 33 hotrod. The arms have a cast in 'L' and 'R' on them. Unfortunately the 'L' and 'R' refer to use in the 33 which has them pointing toward the rear. So installing them on a roadster, you put them on the side opposite how they are marked.

FLPBFoot

04-23-2021, 08:12 AM

Thanks for the heads up. Ordering a couple new ones now.

Matt,

Where are you ordering from? What is the part number or details to specify?

Thanks,

Steve

Jeff Kleiner

04-23-2021, 10:38 AM

Matt,

Where are you ordering from? What is the part number or details to specify?

Thanks,

Steve

The NAPA number is NOE 6301612 but you can walk into any parts store and tell them that you want a front hub nut for a 1999 Mustang.

Jeff

FLPBFoot

04-23-2021, 04:03 PM

The NAPA number is NOE 6301612 but you can walk into any parts store and tell them that you want a front hub nut for a 1999 Mustang.

Jeff

Jeff,

Thanks for the quick reply. Much appreciated.

Steve

richtersand

04-23-2021, 11:51 PM

I was looking at it and it appears to me that it would be easier to remove the spindle assembly rather than take the hub nut and brakes off (that have red loctite). If I take out the lower ball joint I can remove the steering arms. Thoughts on this approach?

CraigS

04-24-2021, 06:44 AM

That will work fine. Be sure to loosen the nuts first while everything is still bolted together. Also be sure to figure a way to support the spindle and hub so you don't end up stretching your brake line.

toadster

04-24-2021, 08:39 AM

same thing happened to me, it happens pretty frequently to be honest!
FFR should really put better directions or use BOLD or something... LOL

definitely replace those hub nuts, I was lucky and found some at the local Autozone :)
here's a link on Amazon, but you can find better pricing
Dorman (615-098.1) 36mm Hex Size x M24-2.0 Thread Size Prevailing Torque Spindle Nut (https://amzn.to/3ewzbQn)

dbo_texas

12-01-2021, 11:44 AM

I was looking at it and it appears to me that it would be easier to remove the spindle assembly rather than take the hub nut and brakes off (that have red loctite). If I take out the lower ball joint I can remove the steering arms. Thoughts on this approach?

Did this method of removing the spindle assembly INSTEAD of the hub nut, brakes & rotors work out OK? I have the same issue and am planning to tackle it this weekend. Just trying to determine best method.