GoPowerSports Tie Rods Too Long

[faultsafe]

As described in the title; I had picked up the rack and pinion steering kit from GPS and surprisingly the tie rods are about an inch too long. (On a Manco 606b 2 seater, surprising I know)

My question is; are the tie rods threaded the entire way through so I can just chop an inch off the tie rod and screw the hind joints back into it all the way or do the threads only go down 2 inches in which case cutting it won't shorten it?

Thanks!

 

[Denny]

I don’t really know. Can you cut off a 1/2” on each end to shorten it enough? Might have to buy a left and right hand tap to lengthen the threads.

 

[panchothedog]

Most of the time the threads are 2" in from each end. Why are you asking us
If they are threaded all the way. Can't you look at them and tell for yourself. If you have the full 2" of thread on each end then you could easily shorten them
by cutting 1" off of each end. Whatever amount it ends up being, DO NOT cut
It all off of one end, but rather half of it off each end.

 

[MTScott]

Would be easy enough to test with a longer bolt

 

[faultsafe]

Just in case anyone else runs into the same problem; my fears were confirmed. The threading goes in ~2 inches and then slams into a solid wall so cutting them does nothing.

I ended up chopping them in half, removing about an inch in the middle, and rewelding them and while not perfect its better than it was.

 

[FlyFrog]

Just in case anyone else runs into the same problem; my fears were confirmed. The threading goes in ~2 inches and then slams into a solid wall so cutting them does nothing.

I ended up chopping them in half, removing about an inch in the middle, and rewelding them and while not perfect its better than it was.

why didnt you get a whole tap and die set for 100$ thread the tie rods to the desired length of threads, then you would of had a tap and die set for in the future

 

[Denny]

why didnt you get a whole tap and die set for 100$ thread the tie rods to the desired length of threads, then you would of had a tap and die set for in the future

Because they sound like they are solid. And unless you have a lathe there’s no way to drill them.

 

[FlyFrog]

Because they sound like they are solid. And unless you have a lathe there’s no way to drill them.

arent the threads on the outside of the tierod? why would it need to be drilled?

 

[faultsafe]

why didnt you get a whole tap and die set for 100$

Cause chopping them and welding took 5-10 minutes.

arent the threads on the outside of the tierod?

No.

 

[FlyFrog]

Cause chopping them and welding took 5-10 minutes.


No.

could you send me the link or a picture of them im curious now

 

[madprofessor]

At least you cut them in the right place. Cutting off some of the threads isn't bad if you only need enough threads to secure the heim or ball joints tightly with a good nut. The problem comes in with trying to adjust the toe-in/out for proper alignment. The more threads the better, starting with the adjuster nut locked down in the middle of the usable threads, so adjustments left/right are still possible without running out of threads.