Tie Rods SNAPPED

[Neight]

These may be a couple better pictures for Rig of the month, seeing as I'm kinda having a bad month:
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/302/samewayts3.jpg
http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/8471/towbq4.jpg

[soccerbrace]

Damn Nate! I am sorry!Need some more tie rod ends!? I can get some to you quick!-James

[Neight]

Ian's letting me borrow a tierod until I can save up for the SLR kit, thanks though James.

Dr. Hippie also prescribed no more trail action and putting the 31s back on :( until I can get the SLR kit. You guys better not have too much fun on the trails without me!

[Nissanclay]

HA! That picture is almost identical to the picture I hae of my truck when I broke a tie rod. My tre was on the other side though. :)

http://pics.montypics.com/nissanclay/2007-08-24/1187965458_100_0676.jpg

[Alpine Spirit]

These may be a couple better pictures for Rig of the month, seeing as I'm kinda having a bad month:


HD Tie Rod Adjustors Click Here (http://www.4x4parts.com/public_html/shop/index.php3?page=shop/flypage&product_id=437&category_id=ff31efb9053263af34ba174252b79310&ps_session=2f1fb88d716ff13a3f8f5f819799e911)

[Neight]

HD Tie Rod Adjustors Click Here (http://www.4x4parts.com/public_html/shop/index.php3?page=shop/flypage&product_id=437&category_id=ff31efb9053263af34ba174252b79310&ps_session=2f1fb88d716ff13a3f8f5f819799e911)

Would you suggest these over the SLR ones?


HA! That picture is almost identical to the picture I hae of my truck when I broke a tie rod. My tre was on the other side though.

Yea it looks almost exactly like it. Almost looks like Johnny Park too, except I don't think there's a root step like that.

Sorry to thread jack.

[Reserector]

HD Tie Rod Adjustors Click Here (http://www.4x4parts.com/public_html/shop/index.php3?page=shop/flypage&product_id=437&category_id=ff31efb9053263af34ba174252b79310&ps_session=2f1fb88d716ff13a3f8f5f819799e911)

The HD ones tend to snap when they bend. The stockers can at least be bent back. I used a HB screw (bottle) jack on Frontys to bend them back.

Whatever you use, carry spares. I have seen BOTH fail at the same time.

I would post pics, but that would be even FURTHER off topic. :p

[DamnHippie]

HD Tie Rod Adjustors Click Here (http://www.4x4parts.com/public_html/shop/index.php3?page=shop/flypage&product_id=437&category_id=ff31efb9053263af34ba174252b79310&ps_session=2f1fb88d716ff13a3f8f5f819799e911)

Ummm. You don't fix a broken tie rod adjuster by replacing it with a stronger tie rod adjuster. The only way to fix it is to install a stronger aftermarket steering system, which generally comes with stronger adjusters. But if you just put in a stronger adjuster and don't replace the rest of the system, that stronger adjuster will snap like a twig, just like the stock ones do, when the centerlink contacts the frame.

[Alpine Spirit]

Ummm. You don't fix a broken tie rod adjuster by replacing it with a stronger tie rod adjuster. The only way to fix it is to install a stronger aftermarket steering system, which generally comes with stronger adjusters. But if you just put in a stronger adjuster and don't replace the rest of the system, that stronger adjuster will snap like a twig, just like the stock ones do, when the centerlink contacts the frame.

Its a temporary solution to get the truck back up and running. Not everyone can pay to do it all at once. I know Neight has been hit with quite a few unforeseen bills lately, and he was concerned about cost then.

No its not a permanent solution but it will get the truck up and going again, also Napa has some adjustors that are WAY cheaper and still bigger than stock. I dont have the part #.

I would also recommend checking the centerlink, usually when the Tie Rods begin to snap/bend/break/maim they centerlink is showing signs of wear. :cool: Now to set this up in its own thread.

[DamnHippie]

My contention is that tie rod adjusters ONLY break because the centerlink has worn to the point of failure. The TRA is the fuse that blows to tell you your centerlink has died.

Yeah, yeah, you can break a TRA in other ways. I'm one of the few folks who has broken an SLR TRA. It was one of the rare times a TRA break didn't indicate an overall steering system problem. I broke the outer CV in an event that was so extreme, force-wise, that the violent wrenching of the wheel snapped the TRA at the same time the CV cup blew up.

But 99.9% of the time when someone breaks a stock TRA it indicates that their centerlink ends have so much play that the inner tie rod end can flex upwards more than an inch, at which point it butts up agains the frame, and if you continue to put pressure on it beyond that (because, say, you're halfway through running into a big rock or root) the TRA bends and eventually breaks.

It just needs to be an automatic thought in everyone's mind: Suspension lift + big tires + offroad = steering failure. When giving people advice about tires and lift it needs to become automatic that they're told ahead of time about the need for steering upgrade, and it needs to be driven home just how non-optional it is, so people can budget for it (and not end up stranded offroad).

[Neight]

Thanks Kevin for moving this.

Its a temporary solution to get the truck back up and running. Not everyone can pay to do it all at once. I know Neight has been hit with quite a few unforeseen bills lately, and he was concerned about cost then.

Good lookin' out, yo.

I'm just a young kid learning this as I go. I was told a million times by just about everyone here that I would need an after-market steering system immediately, so I don't blame anyone but myself. You just would've had to tie me to a poll to keep me "off off-road" after that lift.

I'm just thankful that I've met great people from this site to help me ease through all of this, even when getting stranded in the mountains. :)

It's hell staying off the trails right now, but I have too much respect for Ian to do anything to jeopardize messing with the TRA he's letting me use, just so I can drive the truck.

Reserector: We need pics! :bannana:



Oh, and I'm NOT sorry for thread jacking anymore!

[Nissanclay]

I've got two boogered up old SLR TRA's that you can have. You should be able to get one to work no prob but the treads are messed up on the other.

Use it, and if you break it no big deal, but when upgrade your steering, give it back to me so I can have a spare for other people on the trail that need it.

[Neight]

Basically Clay, you just quoted exactly what Ian told me when he let me use his. When I upgrade my steering I'll be giving his back to him. Thanks for the offer bud, if Ian wants his back then I'll take you up on that, but otherwise I think it's just easier to leave this one in. I'm being more careful driving than I ever have in my entire life.




Hmm maybe I should swap out his for yours, mostly so if it broke I wouldn't feel near as bad.......























Just kidding.

[DamnHippie]

If you broke that one I lent you it would be no big deal. That's my crisis backup for my regular backup, so it's not like I'm without a spare.

[Neight]

Well lets go wheelin then!!!

[Reserector]

Thanks Kevin for moving this.


Reserector: We need pics! :bannana:


Since it's not post-jacking anymore, here are some shots of my HB jack, along with a hunk of wood being used to press a tie rod straight on an '04 Fronty. We had to bear against the body mount. The hunk of wood was to keep the tie rod in position so the jack could push it straight.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/2218000-2218999/2218930_77_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/2218000-2218999/2218930_78_full.jpg

After straightening it, he tried to wheel a bit more, but it bent again very easily. We straightened it and he continued in 2wd with me strapping him through the tough spots. He was fine on the street and made the 2 hour drive home.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/2218000-2218999/2218930_81_full.jpg

[Neight]

That's awesome.


Thanks for the rod, Clay.