My bad, Grumpy! When I said "the push-pull action of the steering tie-rod", I meant the Drag Link, not the tie-rod.
Between the Axle Beam and the Backing Plate are three washers. One for the Pivot Bolt, and one each for the side Bolts, or Pins,(which are welded into the Axle Beam. So you can look down through this slight gap made by the washers.
So when I turn the steering wheel from side to side while stationary, I can see this gap opening and closing a tad, if that makes any sense?
While the Axle Beam is certainly strong enough not to bend, I thought perhaps forces to it in the forward-backwards direction (if unrestrained by nuts on pins) might cause the Axle to exert excessive leverage on the central Pivot Bush and promote undue wear.
But I'm no engineer, just trying to understand the sucker!
Anyway, I really appreciate your input.
Cheers
