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tie rod on top vs. bottom

andyblack

andyblack

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Does anyone have a half ton pickup with a 10 bolt front axle that has the tie rod on top of the steering knuckles? My '85 truck has the tie rod on the bottom of the knuckles, but I need to replace the driver's side knuckle because the studs on top where the steering arm attaches are broken. The only knuckles I can locate have the tie rod on the top. They're on an '85 CUCV Blazer. Will converting to the top tie rod style knuckle cause clearance issues? I don't see how it would matter, but if anyone has a pickup with the tie rod on top of the knuckles, please respond. I need to fix this thing quick.
 
I have a 1980something K20 10 bolt front and the tie rod is from the bottom. I will sell the knuckle, there are no studs but you can buy new ones through GM parts departments.
 
GreenieK30 said:
I have a 1980something K20 10 bolt front and the tie rod is from the bottom. I will sell the knuckle, there are no studs but you can buy new ones through GM parts departments.
Click to expand...

Thanks buddy, but I've already got one lined up with the studs in it now. (They cost $16 per stud through GM by the way.) I'll keep you in mind if the seller I've got doesn't work out.
 
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Looks like you have things figured out at this point. But, I think the deliniation between tie rods between top and bottom were based on the changeover from D44 to the 10bolt. Hopefully someone will correct me if I am incorrect. You might have a set of D44 knuckles on there. Is the passenger knuckel flat top by chance?

I am not sure about mixing two different types of knuckles. I have always been told to try to keep them paired up left and right so that alignment specs stay the same. Probably just internet roomer or people being anal but look the new knuckle over and compare it to your old one closely or get both knuckles off the same donor truck to be sure.


Cheers,

Rufus
 
I'll have to look and see if the passenger side is flat topped. I actually had the replacement knuckle all the way installed and went to hook up the tie rod, only to be unpleasently surprised that the tie rod wouldn't go on.:mad: Bummer. I had to take it off and start over.
 
i didnt think it really mattered:confused:

on my dana 60 i just threw it on there...
not even sure which way it is mounted come ta think of it.
 
The hole for the tie rod end was tapered the opposite way on the Blazer knuckle (bigger at the top) than it was on the truck knuckle (bigger at the bottom), so it wouldn't go in the hole. I don't know why they would have two different types of knuckles for the same axle. I hadn't really thought it mattered either. That's why I failed to check to see if the tie rod end would fit before I put the knuckle on.

It may not matter on a D60. I know that the way the steering arm mounts on them is different (and better) than on the 10 bolts and D44 axles. If I had a D60, I probably wouldn't be having any of this trouble. I plan on swapping over one day; I'm just waiting for the tires I have to wear out.
 
Keep in mind that the D44 and 10 bolt knuckles are interchangeable as long as you keep them as a pair. So you could put a pair or D44 knuckles on a 10bolt axle with no ill effects and vice versa. The tie rod would simply mount from the top.

If you can get the opposite knuckle off the blazer parts truck you should be golden. As a pair they should work fine.


Cheers,


Rufus
 
That's what I may do. Would the tie rod off my 10 bolt be okay if I just flipped it over? I'm not sure if my steering stabilizer would be able to mount up right. I don't know if I can get the tie rod off the Blazer.
 
The length should be ok. The taper angle I am not sure on. Take your old tie-rod and see if it will fit properly (taper angle) in the junk yard knuckle you currently have. If it fits (flipped) then you should be good to go.

I don't think you will have any problems with the steering stabilizer as long as you use your existing style tie-rod. I think there is enough play on the axle side of the shock to accommodate the shift in the tie-rod from bottom to top and vice versa.

Can anybody chime in and confirm or deny my thoughts?


Cheers,

Rufus
 
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