55.2-59 Outer Tie Rod ends to use on Camaro Spindles-Drill Out or Ball Joint

[MALIBLOC]

So a simple upgrade has , well turned into alot of cursing and walking away from the project . To start I thought I could reverse the castle nut and tap on the head of the lower ball joints and let s just say alot of filing and grind down the head of the ball joints I MAY have saved me some headaches, finger crossed, 2nd I couldn't for the life of me find castle nuts at 9/16-18 but would some nut at hilco and will use them till the castle nuts I order from amazon come in.
Regardless today was a ***** of a day and im going to bed.
Quick question
For the outer tie rod ends Im using a drop spindle from a 70-78 camaro and the steering knuckle is a taper hole for a ball joint with the current set up I have it was just a heim joint with a threaded bolt, is it ok to drill out the knuckle to accommodate my situation OR should I source a female outer tie rod and go that direction , the past camaro spindles were drilled out , just wasn't sure if the ball joint style is technically better, or is it the same **** either way. Wasn't sure if one is noiser or creates a knock versus the other.

[mr48chev]

You could buy why do you want to stick a Heim end on there that may be good for 20 K miles if that rather than run the proven tie rod that is probably good for 100K without having an issue? That just flat doesn't make sense no matter how cool the guys down at the spit and whittle club tell you Heim ends are.

[MALIBLOC]

Thats what Im thinking too I just need to find the right outer tie rod ,Ive been researching all night

[mr48chev]

What model of vehicle did the rack come off?

[mr48chev]

The hole in the Camaro steering arm should have a ten degree taper.

From what I can find is that the MII has a 7 degree taper.

Mean while a pair of these should solve your current problem if the shank diameter fits your heim ends. https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Adjus...Heim,3333.html

A pairs of those will get you going along with the over size retainer washers to keep the joint from coming apart. Like these. https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/pr...p?Product=3068

Photo in this link shows why you need and want them. https://www.pacificcustoms.com/fk-he...ywasher10.html

[MALIBLOC]

You are the man I ordered these next day I'll know by tomorrow if they work and yes when everything is drivable , the shop that I am having replace my rockers , I will then have them install all new ball joints in arms and steering.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/1-2-I...n-Kit,555.html

[mr48chev]

Those have a 7 Degree taper = Ford taper and won't work with those spindles that have a 10 degree taper.

Also the 1/2 diameter is a bit skimpy.

Somewhere you would think that someone has tie rod ends with a 10 degree taper that also match S =10 for putting a Ford rack on an S-10 chassis.

[MALIBLOC]

Thanks for your advice I went to a local speed shop and they machined and recessed the steering arm on spindle to accommodate the ford outer tie od ends, fits like a glove now. I do need to cut one tie rod down today by about a inch to that I can get the alignment right, Thanks again.

[mr48chev]

Winner all around there with no odd ball parts.

Better put all that in your truck build note book with parts numbers and a short explanation.