Topic: Identifying OEM tie rod arms

[Oz390]

Have 4 off my '68 X code.  The inner had the metal lipped dust boot (no number on them) and lipped edge around the ball joint.  The outer the lip, but just rubber boots with a spring inside, but a very tight fit to the lip. 

No grease fitting on the bottom. 

One pair has a "B" stamped in the metal disc of the round base, the other pair, nothing, Other than that they look pretty much identical. 

Any way to tell if they are OEM, or some older service replacements?

[67gta289]

I thought that the general consensus was that all service replacements had a grease fitting, which makes the Ford NOS parts incorrect for those after a factory correct look.

[ruppstang]

All factory boots had the metal retainer external and as John said no grease fittings. It is very common to see original ends on the inside, the outers were the first to be to replaced.

[Bob Gaines]

All factory boots had the metal retainer external and as John said no grease fittings. It is very common to see original ends on the inside, the outers were the first to be to replaced.

To elaborate on Marty's comments - Ford production tie rod boots changed in very late 69 production . After that point the tie rod boots did not have the metal ring pressed on retainer. They had a internal spring that held them on the tie rod. All of the service replacements from that time forward had the internal spring boot also. The ones with the metal rings and the "B" markings are typical OEM assemblyline on a 68. The ones without the metal ring are later service replacements or aftermarket. Ether type can and sometimes is modified to accept a grease zert.

[67gtasanjose]

Interesting topic since I have cleaned all of mine up last week. I have 1 original out of 4, and it came off of the RIGHT outer.
Since I bought the car used in 1978, I cannot say when any were changed before then, but the odd thing is I DID change the right inner and outer as a USED assembly with a lower arm, the fender and door. (I had changed from the accident it had been in, P.O. wrecked it & insurance totalled the car) The INNER on that right side is like an exact mfg. match to the other two on the other side. I had believed the OUTER (the one with the FORD numbers on the boot & all) was the one that had been changed. I read elsewhere a few weeks ago on another thread here what WAS original, so since I knew 3 of the 4 had grease zerks, I already knew some or all had been changed at some point before 1978.

Unless I locate another outer and a pair of inners (w/one boot & ring), I might need to overlook this detail for now. I still have the original Lower ball joints with good boots, & need to get a couple uppers & rivets to put those back. I'll not skip that detail. Too much work on them to go back in later.

Richard

[Oz390]

Thanks to all for the replies and info. 

So it looks like a pair of '68 and a set of early '69 style service replacements (which based on some follow up searching and info from Scott Fuller seem to be correct for OEM 69/70's).

I'll take a micrometer to them to double check the size of the lip and if the same buy a set of 4 of Scott Fullers metal ringed boot covers and call it good enough as finding a good pair of "B" stamped may be tough.  if anyone whips out a mirror and checks I'll confess there are not right!!! 

[Oz390]

Just a follow up I thought of...

I did just buy a compete PS setup form a '67.  It is in another town, friend picked it up as $225 for the PS pump, ram, drag link, control valve, and all tie rods was a deal here in Oz I could not pass up.

If I get lucky and the tie rods are OEM '67, would they be the same "B" stamp as the '68's or different?

[Bob Gaines]

Just a follow up I thought of...

I did just buy a compete PS setup form a '67.  It is in another town, friend picked it up as $225 for the PS pump, ram, drag link, control valve, and all tie rods was a deal here in Oz I could not pass up.

If I get lucky and the tie rods are OEM '67, would they be the same "B" stamp as the '68's or different?

Typically yes on the "B".

[Oz390]

Thanks. Maybe I'll get lucky...

[Oz390]

Follow up.

As many owners here convert to right hand drive a lot of tie rods/drag links/steering boxes get pulled... and tossed.  Luckily, I found two sets of , apparently to me, OEM '67 tie rods (and one complete setup idler to stering box dropped from the car with ram and valve and OEM hoses). All with metal ring dust boots with a C6 number on them.

All of the '67 tie rods have no grease zerks, and do not have the "B".  But other than that visually identical to the "B" off the X code.

So, minutiae here, was the "B" only on 68's... ??  Or was the "B" plant specific (they came off a Dearborn car, the new sets without off San Jose cars )