Tie Rod / Steering Problem - need help

[heysavoy 16]

 

Hi. I am hoping someone can help me? I have a 1990 WH tractor Model 31-12KE01 and while cutting today my steering stopped. Image 3672 is after I had put it back on but of course it didn't stay after making another turn or two. One of the rods came out. (IMG 3675) I believe this is called a tie rod? Am I correct? If so it seems these are the two parts (see image # 3676 below) I need to have replaced. (One works but shouldn't I go ahead and do both?) If it's not necessary to replace both... which part # is the one on the left if you are sitting in the driver's seat? They look the same to me. If not the correct part # does anyone have the correct one? I appreciate any assistance you can give me. This site has been awesome as It's given me the confidence (with a little help) to make some repairs in the past I never thought I could. 

[ri702bill 8,316]

Yes, BOTH sides need to be replaced. due to age and one potentially catastrophic failure. No room for Band-Aids.... Some of us (me) and others make our own using Heim joints. Lowell in the Vendors section sells quality modern replacements. Adjustable length, modern tech. is the only way to go...

Bill

[ebinmaine 67,439]

$71 EACH???

 

 

Yeah definitely get ahold of Lowell at Wheelhorse Parts And More.  

[heysavoy 16]

6 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

$71 EACH???

 

 

Yeah definitely get ahold of Lowell at Wheelhorse Parts And More.  

 

I'm not familiar with that portion of the site. How do I get hold of him to make sure I'm ordering exactly what I need? Thanks Eric!!

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,315]

https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/forum/141-wheelhorse-parts-and-more/

[Achto 27,565]

1 hour ago, heysavoy said:

They look the same to me. If not the correct part # does anyone have the correct one?

 

Here is a direct link for Lowell's tie rods $58 for the pair. They also have replaceable ends that are available at most hardware stores for the next time they need replacing.

 

https://wheelhorsepartsandmore.com/product/toro-wheel-horse-tie-rod-78-2900-78-290001-longer-length-with-replaceable-ends-with-nuts/ 

 

For a temporary fix you can remove your old tie rods, place the ball back in the hole, & hammer the side down to keep the ball from popping out. Will get you through until your new ones arrive.

Edited September 16, 2023 by Achto

[ebinmaine 67,439]

13 minutes ago, heysavoy said:

 

I'm not familiar with that portion of the site. How do I get hold of him to make sure I'm ordering exactly what I need? Thanks Eric!!

 

From the main page scroll down to Classified, Vendors, Wheelhorse Parts And More. 

Open their site. 

 

Here's a cut/paste of the contacts.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,315]

8 minutes ago, Achto said:

 

For a temporary fix you can remove your old tie rods, place the ball back in the hole, & hammer the side down to keep the ball from popping out. Will get you through until your new ones arrive.

 
 Temporary Dan? Lol! I had one that I repaired like that and it worked for years. Put a smear of grease in the socket first, then peened it….keeping it greasy 

[ebinmaine 67,439]

3 minutes ago, Sparky said:

keeping it greasy 

Pete would approve.  

[heysavoy 16]

28 minutes ago, Achto said:

 

Here is a direct link for Lowell's tie rods $58 for the pair. They also have replaceable ends that are available at most hardware stores for the next time they need replacing.

 

https://wheelhorsepartsandmore.com/product/toro-wheel-horse-tie-rod-78-2900-78-290001-longer-length-with-replaceable-ends-with-nuts/ 

 

For a temporary fix you can remove your old tie rods, place the ball back in the hole, & hammer the side down to keep the ball from popping out. Will get you through until your new ones arrive.

 

28 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

From the main page scroll down to Classified, Vendors, Wheelhorse Parts And More. 

Open their site. 

 

Here's a cut/paste of the contacts.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you so much. Super helpful. I so appreciate it.

29 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

From the main page scroll down to Classified, Vendors, Wheelhorse Parts And More. 

Open their site. 

 

Here's a cut/paste of the contacts.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much!!

[peter lena 8,612]

@heysavoy  lots of good advise and info here , do what  ever is  in your thinking , personally always have , threaded rod , and heim joints in my stash , very easy to make up . Lowell's  made up ends , looks good to me , pete 

[Racinbob 11,056]

I've made many sets with these ends, 3/8"-24 rod and 3/8" ID tube stock.

 

 

Earlier this year I made a pair using heim joints for my B-160.

 

[Handy Don 12,214]

Good use for “re-tie-erd” tie rods?

Cut off the ends and the ⅝” rod fits nicely into front Attach-a-Matics for fabrication projects like this:

Edited September 16, 2023 by Handy Don

[squonk 41,072]

All of these posts and no one has mentioned bailing wire (For country dwellers) or zip ties (for Suburbanites) 

[DCwom 78]

I came across this thread from a bunch of weeks ago and it prompted me to go down and take a look at my Raider 12 tie-rods, I know they are worn out, everything is, she's done a lot. The steering has lots of play, in the pinion, rack and tie-rods, but nothing has let go yet, I see the joints are quite dry, but there are no fittings, how do you grease them, just smear grease and hope it gets in?

[Handy Don 12,214]

52 minutes ago, DCwom said:

how do you grease them

Originally there would have been a rubber boot covering the ball/socket to keep out dirt and to keep lube in but they dry out and fall off after a measly 40 years or so. Sigh.

I use an aerosol grease to spray in there, but you can use regular and “smush” it in with latex-gloved fingers. You can ge better coverage if you unbolt them from the tractor, but that adds a lot of time.

[ebinmaine 67,439]

1 hour ago, DCwom said:

I came across this thread from a bunch of weeks ago and it prompted me to go down and take a look at my Raider 12 tie-rods, I know they are worn out, everything is, she's done a lot. The steering has lots of play, in the pinion, rack and tie-rods, but nothing has let go yet, I see the joints are quite dry, but there are no fittings, how do you grease them, just smear grease and hope it gets in?

 

37 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Originally there would have been a rubber boot covering the ball/socket to keep out dirt and to keep lube in but they dry out and fall off after a measly 40 years or so. Sigh.

I use an aerosol grease to spray in there, but you can use regular and “smush” it in with latex-gloved fingers. You can ge better coverage if you unbolt them from the tractor, but that adds a lot of time.

 

 

 

Could also make the switch to greasable Heim joints on the tie rods.   

[Handy Don 12,214]

10 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

Could also make the switch to greasable Heim joints on the tie rods.   

I left this suggestion for you!

[heysavoy 16]

Thanks for all the advice. I wasn't familiar with aerosol grease (just WD40 but sure it must be different). I ended up getting replacements rods from  Lowell at Wheelhorse Parts And More.   and they worked great not to mention at a great price. Let's hope they last another 30 years. 

 

[Lee1977 6,656]

On 9/16/2023 at 12:41 PM, squonk said:

All of these posts and no one has mentioned bailing wire (For country dwellers) or zip ties (for Suburbanites) 

We don't use bailing wire it's electric fence wire. 

[Handy Don 12,214]

3 hours ago, Lee1977 said:

We don't use bailing wire it's electric fence wire. 

On one tractor I keep a length of wire wrapped around the steering wheel spokes so it’s handy for emergency repairs! 

I always get questioned about “What is this wire for?” Contingencies, man, contingencies!