fourwheelhorseman 279 #1 Posted November 30, 2023 I was changing some stuff over on my c160 8 speed from my parts tractor today, mainly steering riser, wheel, throttle and choke cables and so forth. Anyhow I noticed that my toe rod ends were wired to keep them in place, so no thought well no big deal I have a parts tractor, walked over to it and sure enough so are they! I removed the wire and they certainly did fall apart. Anyhow I rewired them for now and will be getting new ones in the future. Is this common for these? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,438 #2 Posted November 30, 2023 6 minutes ago, fourwheelhorseman said: and will be getting new ones in the future. Is this common for these? Short answer. Yes. Long answer. YYYEEESSSSS. We have a couple vendors that sell new stock replacements. Search the word "heim" on this site and you'll see dozens of references to lots of us changing over. A Heim joint is much stronger than the stock type. I even go the extra bit and size em up. You'll find the holes to mount the stock tie rods are OFTEN wallowed out to an oval. By drilling out to a 7/16 hole you can give your tractor a HUGE improvement. It fixes the looseness and allows you to use a Heim joint that's exponentially stronger than OE. There's likely dozens of sources. I buy mine from McMaster Carr. Center sections can be made on a lathe or even use a piece of threaded rod. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fourwheelhorseman 279 #3 Posted November 30, 2023 Wow! I did not know this! If I go to heim tie rod ends I’d like to just do a simple replacement. Everything on this old horse is now tight, the steering gear is good now as well as the steering shaft. I replaced it because the old one was all wollered out at the very top where the steering wheel connects, I’m guessing that had a bushing from the factory and it broke or was lost years ago, I could literally grab the steering wheel and push up and down about a half inch back and forth. The replacement tightened that all up. While I had it apart I also used the best steering sector gear.. it actually looked brand new. Steering is good and tight now, last thing are these darned tie rod ends. Thanks for your reply! I’ll look into them! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,316 #4 Posted November 30, 2023 Check with Lowell at Wheelhorsepartsandmore in the Vendor's section - He sells the common drop-in replacements that are adjustable in length to allow for "aligning" the front wheels - at a MUCH better price than the Toro OEM replacements. 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,739 #5 Posted November 30, 2023 While those tire rod ends were good, after 50 years they all have seen plenty of wear and rust. Kind of like me and the song: I'm good once, but not as good as I used to be. 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maz91 202 #6 Posted December 1, 2023 I will second the Wheelhorse parts and more (.com) tie rods. I just put ‘em on my raider. They are the “simple replacement” you’re looking for and are adjustable too 😎 measure the length of the ones that are on there so you’ll know which ones to order. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
