So Fix it

Tie Rods Must be Tight Enough to be Safe

A tie rod is a thin stuctural rod with a threaded end that connects the steering system to the wheels. The connection at the end of the rod (the tie rod end) should be at least as strong as the rod itself. After bolting the end of the tie rod you should have it at least tight enough to fit the cotter pin in the first hole ( about 25 to 30 pounds on a torque wrench) to prevent the bolt from coming loose.

Count The Threads

According to McLaines Tire and Alignment in Malone, New York, you should count the threads when removing the old tie rod and tighten the new one down to the same place. This means that your steering will have the same feel as before the job was done.

Bottom Line

A tie rod that is too tight will make your steering feel very sticky, and you will feel like you are wrestling with your car. A tie rod that is too loose means that you car will wander all over the road. 25 pounds on a torque wrench will give you fluid control without wandering off line.

Most Harley-Davidsons are powered by technologically primitive engines. Critics call them "de-engineered." The basic nature of the machines is part of their charm for an aging customer base. The V-Rod is Harleys modern motorcycle intended to appeal to both younger and traditional customers. The V-Rod was designed to look more traditional than it actually is, so Harley designed its "air box" to look like a gas tank. Older bikers often assume it is the gas tank. The air filter is inside this air box; once you understand what to open and how, changing this filter should take less than five minutes.

Instructions

1

Stand on the right side of the motorcycle and lift the right side of the seat. After a gentle tug, the seat will pivot up.

2

Turn the retaining ring on the back of the outer air box cover 1/4 turn counterclockwise. The outer air box cover is styled to look like a conventional Harley gas tank. Lift the outer air box cover off the bike and set it aside.

3

Disconnect the intake air temperature sensor at the rear of the inner air box cover by pulling the two halves of the connector apart. The sensor is clearly visible on recent V-Rods. Early V-Rods located this sensor on the engine, and if it is there, you do not need to disconnect it.

4

Unfasten the eight clips that secure the top of the inner air box, using a flathead screwdriver. There is one clip in front of the box, one in back and three on each side of the inner air box.

5

Unscrew the wing nut that holds the air filter in place. Remove the old filter by pulling up, and either reinstall the original after servicing or install a new filter. Drop the new or serviced filter back on the mounting stud and retighten the wing nut.

6

Resecure the inner air box top to the mounting clips. Reconnect the air temperature sensor.

7

Push the outer air box cover back in place. Push down the seat.

Connecting rods connect the piston to the crankshaft; as the crankshaft rotates, the connecting rods move the piston up and down in time with the rest of the engine. A connecting rod journal is where the connecting rod attaches to the crankshaft, making the journal a crankshaft feature. Measuring connecting rod journals is an important part of an engine rebuild, helping you determine the proper size connecting rod you need. To measure connecting rod journals, the crankshaft must be already removed from the engine.

Instructions

1

Locate the connecting rod journals on the crankshaft. The number of connecting rod journals depends on the number of cylinders. A four-cylinder engine has four, and an eight- cylinder has eight. Journals are smooth, polished surfaces, located in between the crankshaft counterweights. Crankshafts also have main journals, allowing them to rotate. Connecting rod journals are the smaller journals.

2

Feel the journals with your fingers, and determine if they require machining. Journals should be polished and smooth. If theyre rough, pitted, or rusted, they need to be machined by a professional prior to measuring, as machining changes the journals measurements.

3

Use a micrometer to measure the connecting rod journal. Open the micrometer by turning the handle until the journal fits inside. Place the micrometer at the journals center, turning the handle until it closes on the journal.

4

Record the measurement given. The measurement is found on the micrometer sleeve, directly in front of the turning handle, or thimble. Connecting rod journals are commonly measured in millimeters.

Various types of structures that support tensile loads use tie rods. For example, vehicles, industrial electronics and static structures use tie rods, which are sometimes referred to as "track rods."

Definition

A tie rod is any bar-like structure supports moving parts on a machine, especially those bearing heavy loads. Rebar is a type of tie rod because of how it performs in concrete; however, rebar is not usually called a tie rod. Metal bars in general that are used in cement, stone and metal can be called tie rods. Tie rods prevent lateral movement.

Most Common Tie Rods

The most common tie rod is found in a vehicle. The tie rod is part of the steering mechanism and has an inner end as well as an outer end.

Other Uses

Tie rods stabilize structures, such as acting as an anchor to hold parts of buildings together. They are also part of wheels on a bicycle, a steam locomotive and a Ferris wheel.