Steel tubing type for tractor tie rod

akajun · Jun 19, 2021

Somehow my brother bent the tie rod on our John Deere tractor I think he hit a stump but who the hell knows
I’ve straightened it to get me by for now but it’s worn flat in spots where it was rubbing after it bent and he kept using it
Deere does not sell just the tube only the assembly which is 350$
Old rod is 1.250 od and .930 Id, just under 3”3 feet long . threaded on both ends
Should I use 1018 or would moving up to cromoly provide any worthwhile benefit.

bridgedog · Jun 19, 2021

I have replaced a few just using of the shelf dom tubing.
something has to give in a bind and tie rods are cheaper than spindles.

Milland · Jun 19, 2021

Chro-mo will be somewhat stronger, but if there's no signs of mechanical failure other than the bend you may not gain anything from using it. I'd go with whatever you can get cheapest, maybe make two while you're set up for it.

Are the ends swaged, or are they direct tapped into the straight bore?

akajun · Jun 19, 2021

Direct tapped
Threaded about 2” deep on each end
May even just cut the ends off and weld them on a new tube
Our old tractors tie rod was made that way
Prob be quicker than single pointing both ends

Milland · Jun 19, 2021

akajun said:
May even just cut the ends off and weld them on a new tube
Our old tractors tie rod was made that way
Prob be quicker than single pointing both ends

Go for it. This is a low-speed application, if the weld fails there shouldn't be any huge risk. Unless...

Does this tractor ever go on public roads? In that case, maybe it would be better to stay with threading the new tube.

akajun · Jun 19, 2021

No it’s a deer camp tractor gravel roads only but it’s pretty hilly
Guess I’ll thread it and be done

Milland · Jun 19, 2021

Sounds good. When you get it finished, post pics of the bent and new tie rods.

gbent · Jun 19, 2021

Don's Tractor Salvage, Beattie,Kansas. 785-353-2581 John Deere is all he does.

Ultradog MN · Jun 19, 2021

I have a couple of Ford tractors.
On my 3000 with power steering to replace the rear tie rod end you have to buy the complete drag link. I just bought the rear tie rod end from a non PS model, cut the old one off and welded the new one on. Cost was about $15 instead of over $200. I ground it nice and used a bit of bondo. Then prime and paint. It's been at least 15 years since I did that and no problems.
On my tractor you do need to note where the rod ends point. Mine are about 90 degrees apart, some are 180 so check that. Maybe my drawing will help show what I mean.

.

akajun · Jun 19, 2021

Ultradog MN said:
I have a couple of Ford tractors.
On my 3000 with power steering to replace the rear tie rod end you have to buy the complete drag link. I just bought the rear tie rod end from a non PS model, cut the old one off and welded the new one on. Cost was about $15 instead of over $200. I ground it nice and used a bit of bondo. Then prime and paint. It's been at least 15 years since I did that and no problems.
On my tractor you do need to note where the rod ends point. Mine are about 90 degrees apart, some are 180 so check that. Maybe my drawing will help show what I mean.View attachment 323235.

That’s not important on mine
This is the bar that connects the two knuckles and adjusts toe in
The tie rod end direction is not important

atex57 · Jun 19, 2021

Just about any farm store can get parts like this. What model is it? I have a catalog.

Ed.

pavt · Jun 19, 2021

The hardcore jeep guys use 4140 DOM in the exact size you said your tractor has. Search the ads on pirate 4x4 or go online metals.com, they have it pretty cheap.

Superbowl · Jun 19, 2021

If you can get some tube with an ID of 1.25 the you can cut off the old threaded ends, slide then inside the new tube and weld them in.

Ralph_P · Jun 19, 2021

One end could be left hand threads. Might want to check that before you do any threading.

James H Clark · Jun 19, 2021

Don't forget to check the toe-in. I would guess about 1/8".

JH

CalG · Jun 20, 2021

All steel tubing of the same dimensions will display similar stiffness in bending, High strength alloys etc will carry a greater loading before deformation, but they will be more difficult to straighten.

As long as there are more than about 6 threads engaged in the working ends, no alloy offers superior characteristics in regard to "strength", in this application.

Bill D · Jun 20, 2021

It may be cheaper to buy solid rod and drill and tap the ends. The extra weight should not be a big deal on a farm tractor. Or use smaller diameter solid rod of equal strength and weld threaded sleeves onto the ends.
Bill D

Larry Dickman · Jun 20, 2021

Somehow my brother bent the tie rod on our John Deere tractor

Ya, that's what keeps happening to me. It's my damn brother.

I've always used 4130 for tie rods. Could be overkill.

atex57 · Jun 20, 2021

Larry Dickman said:
Somehow my brother bent the tie rod on our John Deere tractor

Ya, that's what keeps happening to me. It's my damn brother.

I've always used 4130 for tie rods. Could be overkill.

Overkill means something more expensive breaks next time. You need a fuse in the system. Make it a cheaper part.

Ed.

Larry Dickman · Jun 21, 2021

atex57 said:
Overkill means something more expensive breaks next time. You need a fuse in the system. Make it a cheaper part.

Ed.

OK, make it out of an old garage door spring then. Nothing breaks :willy_nilly:

Steel tubing type for tractor tie rod

Stainless

Hot Rolled

Diamond

Stainless

Diamond

Stainless

Diamond

Diamond

Cast Iron

Stainless

Stainless

Stainless

Hot Rolled

Stainless

Stainless

Diamond

Diamond

Titanium

Stainless

Titanium

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