I need to order new tie rods as I'm doing the whole front end. My question really surrounds weather the inner and outer are the same for the drivers side and passenger side. I was hoping to order them on RockAuto. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Best regards, Mike
Mike, I don't know if they are the same offhand. I do know if you are building a high end car that the inners should have the Zerk fitting in a different place than the outers. I know if you buy them repro, some have the Zerk fitting in the right place on the inners, but they just put a plug where the old fitting was previously. The fitting was originally in a different place on the inners to make them easier to grease.
Both the inner and outer are the same for either side. The outer will have the zerk opposite the castle nut, the inner will be have the zerk threaded directly into the casting on the side.
70 tie rods are thinner than 71-2. You can substitute 71-2 for the 70s unless your building a correct car....Jim
Thanks all. The inner has the zerk coming out the end while the outer has the fitting opposite the nut. Are the boots interchangeable? The blue boots just won't work for me. I am going with the smaller shaft 69-70 as well for authenticity. I almost want to go with the tall upper ball joint but I'm struggling on it. All again, Mike
Yes, the boots generally interchange... also if you go with the smaller diameter early 70 tie rods, make sure you get the matching adjuster sleeves. JW
One line in Napa ((Master Ride) has black boots that are similar to OE. Keep looking on Rock Auto, you are sure to find something. And like Jim says, make sure the adjusting sleeves are the correct ones too.
