tie rod upgrage

[freeze]

any body ever do a tie rod upgrade? I have a 98 2500 HD and the tie rods seem to bend pretty easy with my 35" tires. I have lifetime warranty rod ends in there now, so they are free to replace, but then I have to spend $60 on an alignment every time a new one goes in. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

[White98]

I'm anxious to see responses. I have the same truck and same size tires. Getting alignment on it Monday morning.

 

[Swims350]

don't crank as much, or count your threads/tape them and put the new one in the same amount to avoid the alignment.

although a toe set alignment is cheap and easy.

 

[sewlow]

Baer Disc Brake Systems 3301010 - Baer Brakes Baer Tracker Tie Rod Ends
Check these. They are designed for lowered vehicles, so you should contact BAER to see if they are applicable to 4X4's. I don't see why they wouldn't work, but I can't say for sure. They are a lot beefier than the stockers.

 

[ChrisAU]

Yep, I just used tape to mark my end before I pulled it a few weeks ago and put it beside the new one and taped it in the exact same spot.

 

[Swims350]

also works great if you remove both tie rods and adjuster sleeves, measure the overall, and then install all new, tie rods and sleeves.

 

[freeze]

Thanks for the help. anybody know how accurate it is to tape the threads and what is the accuracy an alignment shop will adjust the tie rods too? I have tried counting the number of turns it took to take the old tie rod out, and putting the new one in the same amount of turns. I was able to get the alignment close, but they still had to do more adjustments at the shop. I have brand new tires and I don't want to ruin them. I will also look into BAER. They look like they might work, i'll give them a call.

 

[Marcos]

Get a lifetime alignment deal from Firestone Auto. I think its $150 for life.

 

[96 2dr hoe]

These look fairly heavy duty but they are pricy.
http://bulletproofsteering.com/gmifstierod.html
I have been looking at them for my Tahoe but I haven’t gotten them yet.
Has anyone else on here have any experience with these?

 

[redchevy914x4]

These look fairly heavy duty but they are pricy.
http://bulletproofsteering.com/gmifstierod.html
I have been looking at them for my Tahoe but I haven’t gotten them yet.
Has anyone else on here have any experience with these?

Those are for the 99+ style steering.