Tie Rod end

I popped off the right tie rod end this weekend....

wasnt damaged - acted almost liek a quick release....

hammered it (gently) back on and rode on (favoring that side of course)

Long story short - I need new tie rod ends.

Who makes good ones - or any other thoughts appreciated.

thanks again.

ok- I am going to show my lack of tech wrench knowledge, but hey, you gotta start somewhere....

to be more specific to my original post....

The round circle part of the steering tie rod at the front wheel - popped off the ball joint.

I hamemred it back on, lost the dust cap - and rode on. Again, rode fine - bit I know I am on borrowed time....

IS THIS THE PART I NEED TO FIX THE "WEAK" ISSUE OF THE TIE RODS?

any input on the whole matter is greatly appreciated.

http://www.fireball-racing.com/billetball.htm

That looks like a good tie rod end. me myself I would go back with stock. I will say if one has come off the others aren't far behind I would replace all of them IMO

definitely going to replace both for sure....

but you think stock is the way to go? My only concern with the fireball one is if I do bump a tree again (likely scenario) it will break the rod itself and not act like a quick release. Therefore, stock may be the way to go again.

I would go stock, like you said may break something else. When you beef up one part it puts more abuse to other parts, end up breaking something else,,,,,,,,,,,,,,like a hand or finger

FLY TRAP wrote:

I would go stock, like you said may break something else. When you beef up one part it puts more abuse to other parts, end up breaking something else,,,,,,,,,,,,,,like a hand or finger

i agree once you beef up the first part gotta do them all or will snap somwthin else possibly somethin more expensive 2

If your popping off rod ends your not far from bending one of the stock , junk spindles... Go with a regular heim and grade #8 bolt..After you bend up your spindles ,which you will , put a set of HCR tig spindles on... My 2 cents
Vince

How are you guys popping rodends? and breaking racks ? I break steering wheels and boy that hurts

roadie - mine was actually really easy....

I was turning a sharp left about 5-8mph...and bumped a small tree on the right front on the outside right front tire...

whell was turned just enough and hit the tire at just the right angle - and the tie end at the wheel just popped off.

hit it back on with a hammer and a block and continued riding (favoring that side of course )

didnt feel like it was out of alignment or anything. feels fine - even when I got hoem and put my street tires on and hit 55.

All in all - the machine is fine - on borrowed time though.

I think I will order one stock tie rod end - replace it.

Then order these...

http://www.lsracing.com/photoviewer.php?id=464&idname=prodid&image_table=prodimg

and try to find a decent ball joint end, and keep the two stock end on me as spares.

btw - lsr has a heavy duty ball joint coming in a month or so...

for now - just ordered stock ball joints. Pop 2 brnad new ones on - keep the good one as a spare - and junk the popped one.

When lsr comes out with their beefed up ball joint - I may replace them with those and their steering rack ends.

thanks for info and guidance this far.