Clearance CLARENCE

[Thunderlugs]

Just finished putting in all new steering linkage in my 65 Bell. Everything came from Napa, and it is their highest quality product. The concern I have, (if it is a concern at all) is a tighter clearance of the idler arm and inner tie rod end as it passes beneath the torsion bar when turning side to side. It's about 1/4 inch. Should this be of a concern? I am thinking no. Opinions??? I see the difference in the casting height of each of these pieces vs the original to be taller by 1/2 inch on the idler, and maybe 3/8 on the tie rod end. When I compared this clearance to the same area on my 67 R/T .....that car definitely had more. Should I be worried? More Needless Anxiety! LOL What do you guys think?

 

[Kern Dog]

I am having trouble understanding. Pictures would really help!
If nothing rubs and it aligns okay, I would not worry about it. There will be some variances between parts manufactured by different vendors.

 

[Thunderlugs]

I am having trouble understanding. Pictures would really help!
If nothing rubs and it aligns okay, I would not worry about it. There will be some variances between parts manufactured by different vendors.

I just added pictures...... To Me this is Not a GooD Clearence

 

[Yatzee]

Just finished putting in all new steering linkage in my 65 Bell. Everything came from Napa, and it is their highest quality product. The concern I have, (if it is a concern at all) is a tighter clearance of the idler arm and inner tie rod end as it passes beneath the torsion bar when turning side to side. It's about 1/4 inch. Should this be of a concern? I am thinking no. Opinions??? I see the difference in the casting height of each of these pieces vs the original to be taller by 1/2 inch on the idler, and maybe 3/8 on the tie rod end. When I compared this clearance to the same area on my 67 R/T .....that car definitely had more. Should I be worried? More Needless Anxiety! LOL What do you guys think?

View attachment 509308 View attachment 509309

As Kern Dog said, if it clears,it clears. Neither component moves with the suspension and it's not uncommon if the drag link rises and falls when turning from lock to lock.

 

[Kern Dog]

That is close though. If you had road race torsion bars you might actually make contact!
Maybe the head of the tie rod is thicker...making it stand up higher/closer to the torsion bar?

 

[Thunderlugs]

That is close though. If you had road race torsion bars you might actually make contact!
Maybe the head of the tie rod is thicker...making it stand up higher/closer to the torsion bar?

You are correct! the Head is thicker. You order from someone else, you roll the dice again. you almost need to go from store to store to find one that has a lower profile.

 

[PP1RT]

That pic looks like the car is on a lift and suspension unloaded? What does it look like on the ground with full weight?

 

[khryslerkid]

I would be concerned about your oil pan clearance also if the idler is higher than your original one.

Passenger side I have a 1" clearance from inner tie rod to torsion bar.

Driver side 1/2" clearance from torsion bar

I have less than 1/4" between drag link and pan. You can also see my header to components are minimal.

 

[Kern Dog]

Look at the thickness of the tie rod heads. The heads in the above picture look OEM and thinner than the OPs .

 

[Thunderlugs]

I would be concerned about your oil pan clearance also if the idler is higher than your original one.

Passenger side I have a 1" clearance from inner tie rod to torsion bar.
View attachment 509604

Driver side 1/2" clearance from torsion bar
View attachment 509605

I have less than 1/4" between drag link and pan. You can also see my header to components are minimal.

Thanks for your effort Kid ! I compared the idler to the one that originally came on this car, and the profiles match up . So, I will have to wait and see until the motor goes in (springtime). Like KernDog says, my Inner tie rods are a much higher profile than the originals , so where do I go to get a match on those? Moog was always the benchmark, so which parts store sells it? It appears I need to buy these in person! More F''N money out the Window! Ideas?? Thanks Bud

 

[Thunderlugs]

Look at the thickness of the tie rod heads. The heads in the above picture look OEM and thinner than the OPs .

I concur. Who's Got the right stuff ? Appreciate your input!

 

[Badvert65]

Is the outer tie rod any thinner? It looks like there is no grease fitting on the one in the picture. Anyways, you can always flip the inner/outer assembly around if it will give you more clearance. Inner and outer are typically different, but as an assembled unit, they can be flipped around.
I'm jus' sayin'....

 

[khryslerkid]

I concur. Who's Got the right stuff ? Appreciate your input!

I forgot I just changed my one outer. It was the same as the one I took off. NAPA ES319R. The inner number is ES319L made in China but they look good. Proformer brand.

This measurement is 1 9/16" same as before.

I use this link to look up NAPA parts. Put your car in and see.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/searc...isInterchange=true&referer=search_form-newveh

 

[Thunderlugs]

Is the outer tie rod any thinner? It looks like there is no grease fitting on the one in the picture. Anyways, you can always flip the inner/outer assembly around if it will give you more clearance. Inner and outer are typically different, but as an assembled unit, they can be flipped around.
I'm jus' sayin'....

Both ends are the same!

 

[khryslerkid]

Both ends are the same!

Outer is right hand thread, inner is left hand thread.

 

[Thunderlugs]

I forgot I just changed my one outer. It was the same as the one I took off. NAPA ES319R. The inner number is ES319L made in China but they look good. Proformer brand.
View attachment 509748

This measurement is 1 9/16" same as before.
View attachment 509749

I use this link to look up NAPA parts. Put your car in and see.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/search?text=Tie+rod+end&isApplication=true&isInterchange=true&referer=search_form-newveh

Thanks Kid! I will check it out in a little while! Appreciate your efforts!! Get back to ya.

 

[Thunderlugs]

Outer is right hand thread, inner is left hand thread.

Correct

 

[miller]

Have to admit, just doesn't look right. Are you sure the pitman is the correct one?