Since you mentioned using the 30 degree Chevy 1 ton tie rod end, I must tell you of my story. I built my 44 front end a few years ago and used a TJ pitman arm reamed to accept a Full Sized Chevy tie rod end. I ran a drag link straight to the top of a high steer arm and have been running the thing like that ever since. See
http://www.madxj for an article with many pics. Well, while tooling down a gravel road after wheeling this fall, I suddenly had no steering! Turned out that tie rod end came apart!!! I was shocked and disappointed figuring the thing must have simply broke. However, after cleaning it up and studying the parts, there is quite a groove wore in the stud right where it changes to a ball. There is also quite a bit of wear on the part of the shell that is closest to the threads. The cupped shaped floating piece between the ball and the shell broke in two and allowed the stud to separate from the shell. I really don't understand the exact cause, but I am quite sure running on it for years at a pretty steep angle took it's toll. It did not seem loose as in wore out the last time I greased things either, so it appears to be more a break than simply wore out. I would post pics if anybody has a place to host them. Jeff
