Give me your opinion on what the "best" tie rod end is. "Best" being the greatest combination of quality, durability, and price. Comment on what led you to your choice.
40 Series Tie Rod Ends
- Thread starter Braden620
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- tie rod ends
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555 because @cruiseroutfit says so.
I wish they would make them out of stainless - verus cast? they just rust - hit them with clear coat
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I don't think they are cast, rather forged steel. Stainless might not be a very good material selection due to its mechanical properties, then again I haven't done any FEA on stainless tie rods, stainless may mechanically be up to the task, but would definitely be expensive.
Both Joint Fuji and 555 are top quality brands. They are both suppliers in the Toyota supply chain, even for new vehicles today. The fact that @cruiseroutfit has the 555's in stock for a reasonable price just makes the choice so easy. It's a pleasure to support vendors that support the community. Prioritize your safety and don't skimp on steering or brakes.
This is incorrect.
Neither 555 or Joint Fuji are OEM suppliers.
They are aftermarket spare parts suppliers. They are decent Japanese quality for the price point.
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No. Aisin is a Tier 1 multi-national conglomerate with 100K + employees.
Onur said it exactly right, every part of it.
555 is an above average aftermarket brand, but it's not on the level of Aisin (which of course doesn't make tie rod ends). 555 tie rod ends will rust, typically within a week of installation. You can paint it, but it won't be a long lasting solution. The right way to mitigate rust is to phosphate dip it during manufacturing.
Let me make a shameless pitch here: The Nakamoto brand I carry is fully phosphate dipped, finely machined, and fitted with quality rubber boots. Nakamoto is made in Taiwan. Not CCOT Taiwan, but a tier 1 manufacturer in every sense. It's a bit of a well kept secret (except now I've blown it), because you won't find these from other vendors. They will only produce it for you on demand. Anyway, I carry many Japanese brands, but I took a different path with tie rod ends.
Another less well known fact is that Japanese aftermarket manufacturers are under a lot of cost pressure. That's why Onur's mention of price point is particularly insightful.
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