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620 steering links (tie rods) Difference between left and right?


flatbed620

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I am replacing all the ball joints/steering links/ etc on my 79 620.  I ordered parts from several places.  I bought a right and left tie rod end assembly, (not the center link tie rod).  They arrived in a box together, but they are not marked Right or Left.  No part numbers.  They look exactly the same.  Is there a difference??  I have contacted the seller but need to get the truck back on the road before they return to answer.  I have my old ones off (1 side), but they all look the same.

 

Any help would be appreciated

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Guest Rick-rat

I have new ones in boxes, part numbers are different on the box but the wrapper in the box both just say side rod, no side marking. They look to be identical to me. got mine from Rock auto

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Wait.. so the tie rod end doesn't thread onto the center link? I don't know if I've ever seen tie rod ends that didn't thread on..

 

No, on 620's the inner tie rod and outer tie rod don't adjust. Toe adjustment is done through the center link. 

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Driver's side is linked to the pitman arm, pass side to the idles arm. The cross rod has L&R threaded ends with lock nuts that connects the pitman and idler. Turning one way extends the cross rod length and toes out, the other shortens it and toes in.

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The ends on right and left are clocked differently. If you hold one up to either side, you'll notice how the ends are turned to fit one side better than the other. I have a brand new set to get rid of. Bought mine from rock auto and they sent two of the same side the first time.

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They are clocked differently, see how one end is pointed straight up, and the other ends are tilted the opposite.

DSCN3040.JPG

 

DSCN3042.JPG

 

Exactly. The first pair I bought came in different sized boxes with different part numbers, but were two rods for the same side. I double checked my reciept with rock auto's site and I had indeed ordered a left and right according to them. I had to buy the other brand for the other side to get the correct rod. Ended up going with adjustable rods instead.

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Exactly. The first pair I bought came in different sized boxes with different part numbers, but were two rods for the same side. I double checked my reciept with rock auto's site and I had indeed ordered a left and right according to them. I had to buy the other brand for the other side to get the correct rod. Ended up going with adjustable rods instead.

There are the adjustable type out there also, they are hard to find though.

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I made mine by ordering two more center links, cutting down the right-hand thread end, and rethreading it. Cheap and easy. The center links come with greasable rod ends and all the ends use the same taper.

Isn't the centerlink more expensive than the tie rods??

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If I remember right, yes. Not by much. These trucks are dirt cheap to work on, so I found it worth the extra few $ to make all the links adjustable in order to correct the geometry after swapping the 720 arms on. Just throwing it out there as an option.

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They should work on either side

No. they are different in that the end knuckle twists go oposite directions.

 

The diference in price (I assume) is that the drivers side goes out more often, as it is under more strain... So they conveinantly charge more! :devil:

 

(OPPPSSSS!!!)

I supose I should have turnned the page before I entered "Pete&Repete"..

oh welll.... OmpH.. there it is.... :blush:

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Guest Rick-rat

 

I ordered tie rods quite a while back,(well over 30 days, no return) they had different number on the boxes but the same rod in each box, so I had to order another set from cockauto and will check to make sure they are right ones as soon as they get here. I now have 2 extra tie rods for which side ?????, will find out when the new ones arrive. I would have been pretty pissed if I had tried to change them before this thread

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Hmmm. So that makes three that were sent mis-boxed tie rods? I'm running into this with Rock Auto quite a bit. Post your part numbers if you have them. If we narrow down which rod it is, I'll give them a ring to let them know the manufacturer is mixing them up.

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