What threads are on the stearing knuckle

[kylev]

What threads are on the 2 bolts that hold the ty rod ends to the steering knuckle that comes out the front of the gear box? Not the knuckles on each side. The one that attaches to the main gear in the steering box. There are 2 5/16" bolts that look to be not the original ones that were on it. They have a weird thread pattern so when I went to retap them I messed up and tapped them with 5/16" coarse. Is this ok and will it work to keep the ty rod ends on ?

[Donny M]

5/16-24 is the correct thread. I would be wary of thightening the bolts after you re-threaded them to 5/16-18...porbably not much meat left. Be careful not to over-thighten them. May be ok for a bit

[Russell F]

They may hold for a while. If they do strip out, you can go back with a 5/16-24 heli-coil insert to make it right. Or if you don't care about right, 5/16-18 heli-coil.

Don't feel bad, at least you chased it with a tap. I've been known to start a course thread bolt into fine threads, or visa-versa, outcome is usually nasty!

Russell

[George Willer]

5/16-24 is the correct thread. I would be wary of thightening the bolts after you re-threaded them to 5/16-18...porbably not much meat left. Be careful not to over-thighten them. May be ok for a bit

Now that a lot of the "meat" has been cut away, it might be a good idea to use longer 5/16 NC bolts and add nuts to the top. It won't look stock, but will be more reliable. Probably 1 1/2 " bolts and cut the extra off.

[beaconlight]

I second what Mr. George said. That is what ran through my mind as I read through the thread.

Bill

[cjpenny89]

drill and re-tap them for a 3/8-24 bolt. I am not sure if there is enough meat on those to tap to that size but I think that is what I would do. that or do what george said. I do not thinkg I would want to be driving around and have a tie rod come loose and the wheel come loose your asking for a trouble from breaking the tractor to breaking you and if you break you you might not be able to get fixed.
Chad

[kylev]

Does anyone know if I can go up to a 3/8 size? Is there enough meat?

[kylev]

Well after re tapping the threads on the stearing arm I am not 100% happy with it. I tapped to NC instead of NF and now even though a NC 5/16" bolt will fit, it has a little play and I am not sure it will be a a good thing to leave like this. I surely dont want to have to take the front end back down after restoring this cub. I dont want to use heli coil . Should I just order a new stearing arm. I dont think I can tap to the next size because there doesnt seem to be enough meat to do so.


Thanks

[Bigdog]

Kyle - a helicoil is a good repair. I would not be afraid to use it. However, after re-tapping to a coarse thread as you have already done, it might be too late to use a helicoil.
If you do not want to use a bolt and nut for esthetic reasons, the only recourse is a new steering arm.