1961 Tie Rod Ends

[Ray C.]

I am at the point in the restoration process of my 1961 that I need to secure parts for reassembly. I am currently working on the front suspension and steering. I believe that the tie rod ends are the originals. The outer ends have blue dots painted on them. Where is my best source to secure an acceptable replacement?

Thanks for any help!

Ray Carney
#36314

[Joe L.]

Re: 1961 Tie Rod Ends

Ray------

It depends what you mean by "acceptable replacement". If you're talking about a FUNCTIONAL replacement that will SERVICE your application perfectly, then you can obtain good aftermarket tie-rod ends from vendors like Dr. Rebuild, Paragon, and others. The configuration of these pieces will not be exactly the same as the originals, but it will be "close" and they'll work perfectly.

If you want EXACT originals, then you'll need to find NOS pieces. Believe it or not, these things come up for auction on eBay fairly often and they do not usually sell for high prices. Sometimes, they receive no bids, at all, even from a low starting price. This is unlike the 63-82 tie-rod ends. They rarely come up for auction on eBay and, when they do, they sell for HIGH prices.

[Bill B.]

Re: 1961 Tie Rod Ends

Ray, found your post interesting as I am at the same point. Just finished sandblasting frame and re-bush of front crossmember. Have everything beadblasted and DP90'd--finally starting to get excited after 5-years of cleaning things. Like Joe mentioned, I have found most of my NOS shafts on EBAY one at a time. I still need both outer upper and lower shafts. Bought a Mogul kingpin set from local Big Three Auto Parts--looked and worked perfect for me and they had it in stock. I have noticed that Kanter sells frontend stuff too and wondering if it is okay? Looks like SOME brake and suspension items are a little cheaper. Maybe Joe or someone else might know and respond?

[Christopher R.]

Re: 1961 Tie Rod Ends

Just about all the C1 front suspension parts you buy will look original, except for the tie rod ends and the bushings for the control arm shafts. Your FLAPS or Kanter are a good sources. You'll find Kanter's prices for C1 front end stuff the cheapest of all the usual suppiers. Quality is at least equal to the usual suppliers.

Original tie rod ends had the grease fittings on the side. The replacements have them on the bottoms.

Original bushings have "GM" stamped on them. Replacements do not. You might be able to use old bushings on new control arm shafts.