I'm starting to think I'm figuring out the old sled. As to the tie rod bolt cutting into the belly pan, I figured out that the tie rod is supposed to be on the top side of the steering arm! Everything is as free as a breeze now. Then I asked myself, "Why would it be changed from the way its supposed to be, being reversed?"I think I have the answer. Looking at one of the pipes, it looks like a crease (under all the rust!) about where it would be close to the arm. Looking more carefully at the pan, I think it was notched out for clearance. Does anyone out there know if this might be the case (pipe interference?)