Snapped a tie rod end - What next?

pborkstrom

New Member
Sep 22, 2009
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Hi gang,

From the title you can probably tell I'm a n00b. I just got my blaster 2 weeks ago and already snapped the tie rod end.

From what I can tell, the tie rod looks good (straight, ect), but now that the tie rod end is about to be replaced, how can I adjust the front end so that it rides straight? The right side is fine, but the top left tie rod end needs to be adjusted. I did not tweak the lower tie rod end (the kit I got came with both tie rod ends though), but how do I know that I have the top tie rod end adjusted properly? I'm going back to the trails tomorrow so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

pborkstrom
 
i have both tie rods i just replaced today only because i bought larger a arms. if you want throw me a few bucks ill send you the whole thing
 
your saying upper and lower tie rods, i think you need to straighten out some stuff bro. your tie rods go from your steering stem to an extension off of your spindles. theres the upper and lower BALL JOINTS that are adjustable if you have aftermarket a-arms



it actually just occured to me, you may be speaking of the 2 ends of each tie rod as upper and lower, i usually go by inner/outer so i didnt realize. if so, disregard first thing said. to adjust the tie rods, loosen the nuts on the inner/outer ends of the rod itself, not the castle nuts. then you turn the tie rod either way. they are designed with one end being a right hand thread and when you turn it one way, it extends or vice versa.

also take note of which end is right hand thread for loosening those lock nuts, dont strip em or its a biotch.
 
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your saying upper and lower tie rods, i think you need to straighten out some stuff bro. your tie rods go from your steering stem to an extension off of your spindles. theres the upper and lower BALL JOINTS that are adjustable if you have aftermarket a-arms



it actually just occured to me, you may be speaking of the 2 ends of each tie rod as upper and lower, i usually go by inner/outer so i didnt realize. if so, disregard first thing said. to adjust the tie rods, loosen the nuts on the inner/outer ends of the rod itself, not the castle nuts. then you turn the tie rod either way. they are designed with one end being a right hand thread and when you turn it one way, it extends or vice versa.

also take note of which end is right hand thread for loosening those lock nuts, dont strip em or its a biotch.

^^^^^^ Indeed.. You can measure the front and back of your front tires with a tape measure to get them ajusted properly. You should have the same dimention on both measurements. Or you can just eyeball it up.
 
i have both tie rods i just replaced today only because i bought larger a arms. if you want throw me a few bucks ill send you the whole thing

I appreciate it, but I ordered the tie rod ends on Monday and they arrived today.
 
it actually just occured to me, you may be speaking of the 2 ends of each tie rod as upper and lower, i usually go by inner/outer so i didnt realize. if so, disregard first thing said. to adjust the tie rods, loosen the nuts on the inner/outer ends of the rod itself, not the castle nuts. then you turn the tie rod either way. they are designed with one end being a right hand thread and when you turn it one way, it extends or vice versa.

also take note of which end is right hand thread for loosening those lock nuts, dont strip em or its a biotch.

You got it - The kit was for one tie rod (i.e. left side). Since the top tie rod end snapped, I had to remove the top castle nut. Tonight or tomorrow I'll attempt to install the new end (the top left).

I guess what I'm trying to say is is there a simple or commonly accepted way to know that you've adjusted it properly? Do you measure the top of the tires and the bottom of the tires and adjust accordingly? Do you do it by the ammount of turns of the bolt? Thanks a ton guys.
 
^^^^^^ Indeed.. You can measure the front and back of your front tires with a tape measure to get them ajusted properly. You should have the same dimention on both measurements. Or you can just eyeball it up.

Sweet! Just measure the tires and turn the nut 'till they're identically spaced? Since I snapped the top left tie rod end, I imagine I'd only have to tweak the top bolt, correct?
 
You adjust the rod itself. One has a right hand thread and the other has a left hand. By turning the rod it will get longer or shorter.

I get the bars straight then take 2 tie downs and strap the bars to the grab bar so they will not turn. Then I will adjust the wheels, the bars will stay straight and only the wheel that you need to adjust will move.
 
I just about got it. One more thing - Are the tires "toe in", or are they supposed to be dead nuts straight?