New Relay Rod, Tie Rod & TRE's

[LandCrusher'70]

Installed my new Slee relay and tie rods + new tie rod ends Thursday. My old tie rod ends didn't appear to be worn out until I removed them. Man were they sloppy. My steering feels so much tighter now. I highly recommend replacing your TRE's if you haven't done so.

I discovered my upper stabilizer mount was bent during the install. I believe this must have happened during that Upper Coyote Canyon trip, probably the same time I first bent my Relay Rod. I beat the crap out of that thing w/ a sledge hammer to straighten it back up.

 

[smittycrusher]

how many job are the TREs?

Smit

 

[Boston Mangler]

how many job are the TREs?

Smit

Depends!

I have replaced a set that took all of 5 minutes and went in like butter

BUT, i have also replaced a set that took damn near all day with torchs and such!

For the last install, i just kept the old units together and replaced everything with new. Now i have a complete set of super duty slee stuff and a full set of trail spare ready to go.



If you are going to attempt replacing just the TRE's, i STRONGLY suggest soaking on TRE's in PB Blaster now!

IMHO, since you are in there, might as well upgrade to the beefy stuff, its not that expensive, then you have good trail spares too!

 

[smittycrusher]

Depends!

I have replaced a set that took all of 5 minutes and went in like butter

BUT, i have also replaced a set that took damn near all day with torchs and such!

For the last install, i just kept the old units together and replaced everything with new. Now i have a complete set of super duty slee stuff and a full set of trail spare ready to go.



If you are going to attempt replacing just the TRE's, i STRONGLY suggest soaking on TRE's in PB Blaster now!

IMHO, since you are in there, might as well upgrade to the beefy stuff, its not that expensive, then you have good trail spares too!

Thanks Kevin. I won't be doing it anytime soon. Just curious. The Georgia terrain will make me do it one day. I just hope it is PM and not Repair. I like the idea of having trail spares. Did you use a TRE puller or just a pickle fork?

Smit

 

[Boston Mangler]

Did you use a TRE puller or just a pickle fork?

Pickle Fork

 

[SOCALFJ]

Right on! Now you can wheel in the rocks with confidence knowing you have beefed up those parts.

 

[LandCrusher'70]

I used a TRE puller w/ an impact wrench. Much easier than a pickle fork. They popped right off. A pickle fork will more than likely tear up the existing boots. So, if you want to keep the OEM stuff as a spare, use the puller.

Getting new rods w/ new ends is a good way to go. You don't need to fight getting the old TRE's out of the OEM rods.

FWIW: The end set is about $100. Each rod is also about $100. So the total job for me was about $300.

I definitely feel more confident w/ the beefed up hardware. But it still helps to keep an eye on where I'm going so I don't drive into large boulders.

 

[Boston Mangler]

A pickle fork will more than likely tear up the existing boots. So, if you want to keep the OEM stuff as a spare, use the puller..

Not if properly used, i have removed dozens of TRE's with a fork with no damage!

I have also SHATTERED (aka exploded) 2 high end snap-on TRE removers!

After you see one of these babies snap under load, you will catch my drift!

Anyway, glad to hear your hooked up!

Welcome to the beef club!

 

[smittycrusher]

Not if properly used, i have removed dozens of TRE's with a fork with no damage!

Well I do currently have a pickle fork in the arsenal. So what is the proper way to use it without damage to the parts being removed? I have only used one once (on my steering dampener) and I completely destroyed those parts.

Smit

 

[SOCALFJ]

Use a BFH and eat a chick foo lay whole wheat bagel breakfast chicken sammich

OR

Just eat the second part and let someone else do the first part

 

[smittycrusher]

Use a BFH and eat a chick foo lay whole wheat bagel breakfast chicken sammich

OR

Just eat the second part and let someone else do the first part

LOL, I am going to go through some serious withdrawl when I give up my restaurant on the 31st fo this month.


Smit

 

[SOCALFJ]

Best breakfast in town. I dont care what anyone says.

Sorry for the hijack.

Now back to your regular scheduled program