This morning I received a tie rod end from a US client which I intend to use in his car, but, unusually, the male thread measures 11/16" x 18 TPI. I haven't come across this size before.
The nearest sizes I'm aware of are 5/8-18 which is a UNF form and 11/16-16 which is also UNF.
I searched the web, but can't find anything relating to this particular thread form.
I can't remember what vehicle my friend said the TRE is from, but it's a new Moog joint and the part # on the box is ES445RL.
If I can't find any data on this thread form, I don't fancy my chances of finding many jam nuts or more importantly, a tap to suit it.
Can anyone shed any light on it for me please?
As it's 18 TPI, I may be better off re-cutting the threads to 5/8-18. At least there will be jam nuts and a tap readily available, though it would mean any replacement TREs would have to be similarly re-threaded.

As used by Ford and Massey Ferguson according to this.

Another case of manufacturers making their own thread sizes up probably.

Wow. Thanks for the confirmation, I thought I was going mad. I wonder what the chances are of finding a suitable tap.

My sisters' ex used to work at a firm in Chesterfield called Kitchens who made parts for Massey tractors. They closed in 2003. He said they used some weird stuff.

The options with that weird TRE were limited, so I've suggested a different one with a more common thread.
Thanks everyone for your input.

Shouldn't everyone make their cars with tractor parts?

Good enough for Aston Martin after all.

My Father made a tap for me when I was stuck once. He turned it out of a bit of a six foot prybar I have in my van, didn't turn too nice though, then he ground in some flutes. It worked fine for the two holes I needed it for. It was a 3/4 unf left handed, to buy a tap it was getting on for £90.

I've made some temporary taps from high tensile bolts by making flutes with a grinding disc and then re-hardening and tempering them.
Further research reveals the 11/16-18 thread was quite common some years back. It does seem to have its roots in the agricultural industry, though some trucks used it also.
There may well be a tap available to suit it, but it all seems a little too dificult and I'd imagine the tap would be expensive.

http://www.mcmaster.com/

search for page 2239

about 36 us dollars

[Edited on 24/1/05 by Alan B]

quote:

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Originally posted by Alan B
http://www.mcmaster.com/

search for page 2239

about 36 us dollars

[Edited on 24/1/05 by Alan B]

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They have just about anything, and almost always in stock.

A friend at UPS (United Parcel) told me they have a 4 block long warehouse in Atlanta. UPS just drops off a dozen or more trailers every AM and picks them up in the PM.

Rorty, any decent machinist should be able to thread a hardenable rod on his lathe, mill flutes, and then harden it with a torch. My 1940 Machinists Handbook has a how-to for just such occasions. But since this is an available tap the point is moot.