Help with parts decision

[easyG]

I have read all of the threads on Tie Rods and Ends and still not sure what to get. I have been all over the net looking at different stuff i.e. Slee, Marlin, Man a Fre. I want ends with Zerks but it seems like most don't come with them? Want to change this out soon can't go wheelin til I get a new one. Bent back toward the oil pan and is rubbing on it when suspension is flexed.
Thanks for the help.

 

[MaddBaggins]

I've heard that the OEM, Slee, and Man-a-fre are all pretty much the same quality and pretty much the same $$. I'm not aware of any with zerks.

 

[easyG]

Thanks for the help. I have read that some are Chevy 1 ton ends? Are they actually Chevy parts or have they been modified? Doesn't seem like a Chevy part would work.

 

[MaddBaggins]

Thanks for the help. I have read that some are Chevy 1 ton ends? Are they actually Chevy parts or have they been modified? Doesn't seem like a Chevy part would work.

They're Japanese and heavy duty. May be 1 ton, I don't know.

 

[Tools R Us]

I have read all of the threads on Tie Rods and Ends and still not sure what to get. I have been all over the net looking at different stuff i.e. Slee, Marlin, Man a Fre. I want ends with Zerks but it seems like most don't come with them? Want to change this out soon can't go wheelin til I get a new one. Bent back toward the oil pan and is rubbing on it when suspension is flexed.
Thanks for the help.

Why are you replacing the ends, do they have play? How many miles are on your rig? If they are tight, just get a tie rod and screw it onto your ends. The factory ends are pretty stout, rarely see them with play, the ones on my '84 mini are still tight. If you need new ends, have you priced them from C-Dan, or locally try BAP Imports.

Have you priced a new rod from C-Dan? For an aftermarket I have heard good things about Bud Built. I am not a big fan of "hell for stout" tie rods. I see tie rods as a "fuse" I would rather bend one than break more expensive, critical components. The stock rods have some flex, saving other parts, "hell for stout" tie rods transfer that energy to other components. It's much easier to drive the truck off the trail with a bent tie rod, than deal with a broken end, steering arm or sector shaft.

 

[easyG]

I've got 190K on the truck just figured since I had to replace the tie rod might as well do the ends. I also figured that I might damage the ends trying to get them off so why not just order them and replace instead of trying to be careful. I see your point about considering the tie rod as a fuse makes sense.
I will call Dan and get a price. Thanks for the input.

 

[S&S1stCruzer]

I've got 190K on the truck just figured since I had to replace the tie rod might as well do the ends. I also figured that I might damage the ends trying to get them off so why not just order them and replace instead of trying to be careful. I see your point about considering the tie rod as a fuse makes sense.
I will call Dan and get a price. Thanks for the input.

I'm close to pulling the trigger on some steering componets myself. Let me know what you go with.