Bent tie rod?

[MPG_Bronco]

I have a West coast Broncos hiem joint setup and the PO must have rammed into a rock hard as the 4ft 0.281DOM tube was bent 1.5 inches from being straight.

I had it bent back straight and the metal had no cracking or paint chipping, the guys who did it says they would still use it. I'm leaning towards that as a replacement would be $300 from WCB (even though their kit is $ 320?)

For a light trail rig and mainly Street machine, I figure I'm okay with the straightened tie rod. (from knuckle to knuckle)

Would you still use the tie rod? Or succumb and buy a kit and have extra parts?

 

[70_Steve]

I'm okay with the straightened tie rod. (from knuckle to knuckle)

Would you still use the tie rod? Or succumb and buy a kit and have extra parts?

I think you'll be OK. But if it makes you uncomfortable, I'd have Paul, at Bent Fab, (located at Driven 4x4 Parts) make one, for a whole lot less than $300!!!

 

[broncnaz]

No cracks Id use it. At the worst it will just bend again slightly easier if hit again. Street and mild stuff it will probably last forever.

 

[u10072]

It's times like this that I know I've got to invest in a mill and lathe. You've got about $40-$50 in materials and max of a hour of machine time. So $175 is in order but not $300 for sure. Beauty of having another is having a good ready to work trail spare.

 

[malonejy]

No cracks Id use it. At the worst it will just bend again slightly easier if hit again. Street and mild stuff it will probably last forever.

What he said. I've bent them back straight but they just bend easier the next time.

 

[Scoop]

I finally found a good use for my cheap HF pipe bender. It works great for straightening tie rods!

 

[RT]

What about sleeveing it ? that would confirm straightness and strength.

But for light wheeling and street use it'll probably be fine the way it is.

 

[bknbronco]

its just fine to use on the street or trail after you bend it and bend it back. Its common practice actually. Just make sure you recheck your toe-in. My parents and my bro both bent theres and straightened them with a tug from a toe strap or winch and used them on daily drivers since last summer.

The only reason youd need to replace them is if even after trying to straighten them there is still a slight bow. The slight bow will sometimes want to make the tie rod rotate as you try and turn the tires. It will work but may make some extra slop at the wheel. This can be fixed by turning one tre up and the other tre down to eliminate the rotation of the tie rod.

FYI id never pay $300 for a tie rod with them shitty heims. Next time around go with the popular Gm 1Ton swap. The entire drag link and tie rod can be made for around $300. The TRE are found at any local parts store and when you bend a tie rod you can remake one for $12 a threaded end and some DOM tubing. Heres a link....might be better off scrapping the heim stuff and getting this instead.....
http://extremecustomparts.com/c-169...s-7-8-18-taps-nuts-adapters-d-o-m-tubing.html