MTFCA Forum

I came across this tie rod and spindles in my stash the other day. It looked peculiar. The spindles have the straight, early arms and the right side has the speedo mount hole in the arm. But the location of the steering ball close to the left spindle is different than I’ve ever seen.Its at the end of a 4” extension. Southern Tread ??

Another picture depicting the 4” extension

Another picture depicting the 4” extension

Is the tie rod longer as a result of the "extension" or might it be a DIY fix. The yoke doesn't seam to match Ford's style.

That whole end is strange. Could have been for some special purpose, maybe a trailer anchor to lock the wheels straight? Or a steerable trailer tongue? (I have one of those rigged up for emergency towing of a model T.) It also could have been something simply available to repair a broken end on the tie-rod. It looks like a standard type end buckle attached (threaded? welded?) onto/into the cut off tie-rod. Remember, the early tie-rod as Ford supplied had the ball end permanently attached to the "knuckle" (for momentary lack of a better word) which was all permanently attached to the end of the tie-rod. If that end of the tie-rod were to be somehow broken, or worn through for lack of proper oiling, a rancher way out may have not had a proper replacement and would have used whatever piece from some other machinery he had to make a repair. While certainly under-strong, that repair could have worked for a couple years, and at least got him into town or a neighbor's place for a proper replacement tie-rod.

Could be from an Arnold Autoport rear steering chassis.
Drawings not clear enough but such as set up appears to have been used on them.

I'm guessing its a farmyard fix

Verrrry peculiar.....The ball on the tie rod is actually on the LEFT side. See the picture taken from what would be the vehicles front. A ‘normal’ tie rod is shown for comparison and they’re the same length. See the steering ball to the rear of the correct side....barnyard fix, I guess...

https://books.google.com/books?id=WfEyA ... rt&f=false

https://books.google.com/books?id=dboyA ... rt&f=false

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/82 ... 1530478668

A little more info if it is Autoport

Still a mystery but I’m gonna quit worrying about it. Thanks for the attachments Scott. I see in the last one contributed by Peter Kable 2 years ago the steering ball is on the usual side - unlike the one I have.... back to the stash...