555 Tie Rod End Quality? (lacking)

[akarilo]

A couple of years ago (15,000 miles or so), I replaced the tie rod and drag link with heavy duty units and new ends. Today, while swapping out both front brake calipers, I noticed some considerable slack/ movement in the steering system. The culprit; the drag link end at the Pitman arm was shot? I was shocked at how bad it was.

Nobody had one in stock so I thought, I've got my OEM one (with 175,000 miles) left over, I'll see what shape it's in. No slack. I replaced the 2 year old unit with the 15 year old unit and it's as good as new. WTF?

The 555's came from Cruiser Outfitters and I was somehow under the impresssion that they were manufactured by the same company that made the OEM's; Maybe not though. Anybody with a similar experience?

 

[Michael Hanson]

I hear there is Jap. and China versions. I have used the Jap. version and had no problem. MIke

 

[snobdds]

I hear there is Jap. and China versions. I have used the Jap. version and had no problem. MIke

I was always under the impression Sankei made the 555 version which is a Japaniese

 

[adventr]

I've recently replaced both joints on my draglink with 555s. So far, they are holding up, but when they wear out I'll be going to GM 1 ton TREs. May be a good upgrade for you since you wheel it quite a bit.

That upgrade requires reaming the holes in the knuckles/pitman arm, but the 1 ton TREs are quite a bit larger than the 80 TREs.

 

[kidglove13]

I have the 555's on for almost 2 years now and have done some good wheeln on them
No issues to date

 

[simonliew]

There r 555 made in japan and also made in taiwan,the taiwan made don't last long.

 

[08720]

I just had a failure on the opposite end of OP. My Cruiser Outfitters 555 end had approx 30k miles. Ordered the entire set because at the time I didn't have it isolated to the single end. @cruiseroutfit took excellent care of me. Without even asking and my insisting it wasn't necessary he gave me a fantastic discount. Great service from him after an order I placed a couple years ago. Thanks Kurt!

I should add the remaining ends all feel super tight for what it is worth.

 

[Walletclan]

I bought the Japanese 555s from Cruiser Outfitters and they are just fine.

 

[bigfj62]

Put some on last year be sure you paint them start to rust fairly quickly.

 

[ranma21]

In general Sankei 555 products are pretty good, but there are counterfeit 555 products out there. Make sure you get the genuine one that is made in Japan. Or go with Genuine Toyota tie rod ends for another 100k+ worry free miles.

 

[baldilocks]

How about Joint Fuji? Got mine from Spector but install was less than 1k miles ago. anyone know about these? You can see they have been heat treated by the discoloration.

 

[ranma21]

Joint Fuji is very well made product as well. You should have worry free miles for a long long time. =) I am considering carry the Joint Fuji brand tie rod end too, but most likely just stick with Genuine Toyota parts.

 

[baldilocks]

Joint Fuji is very well made product as well. You should have worry free miles for a long long time. =) I am considering carry the Joint Fuji brand tie rod end too, but most likely just stick with Genuine Toyota parts.

It's was my understanding that OE rod ends came with the rods hence why they cost so much. I have DOM rods so...... You sell OE minus the rods?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Just to be 100% clear. All of our tie rod & drag link ends are Japanese. We have 555 (which we have had fantastic luck with over the years, just needs paint), we also stock OEM Toyota ends and can order order Joint Fuji (we stock a variety of other Joint Fuji products, just havn't had much call for their 80 TRE's). Let us know if we can help with anything else.

 

[cruisermatt]

Ordered Moog tie-rod, drag link, and all new ends for an 80 from the local Autosharts place and all the ends had 555 cast on them, and made in Japan.

 

[OGBeno]

It's was my understanding that OE rod ends came with the rods hence why they cost so much. I have DOM rods so...... You sell OE minus the rods?

80 series TRE's can be had as just ends or with rods.

4x/5x/6x/7x vehicles come only ends with rods.

This is from Toyota.

Aftermarket manufacturers provide just the ends.

 

[jcardona1]

If you want to stick with FJ80 tie rods, these guys make the ultimate TRE

http://www.emfrodends.com/product-p/efj80tre.htm

 

[OGBeno]

If you want to stick with FJ80 tie rods, these guys make the ultimate TRE

http://www.emfrodends.com/product-p/efj80tre.htm

For 99% of people that TRE is going to be overkill as well as being a horrible DD interaction with an overall stock or even slightly modified suspension set-up.

That set up is for folks like you.... And you are few.

 

[cruisermatt]

If you want to stick with FJ80 tie rods, these guys make the ultimate TRE

http://www.emfrodends.com/product-p/efj80tre.htm

Those are the s***! Do you have to ream the pitman arm?

 

[mr jits]

Just a question, but how many of you guys have actually broken an 80 series tie rod end? How many have been broken in the countless hours of people wheeling hard on an 80 series? How many people who wheel their 80's actually treat the TRE as a yearly maintenance item rather than replacing them when they're all jacked up?
The factory ones have suited me well and I've yet to have a single failure.