Replacing Tie Rods - what to buy?

[joeythebee]

My experience...

I JUST finished installing the CCOT kit, which was on sale.
Nice kit, good price, They are marked 555 "Three Five", Hwang Wu Co, Ltd.
Are they chinese ? Dunno. Guess we'll know after a year of use !

Order a UNIVERSAL TIE ROD END PULLER for $40.
I rented a small pitman arm puller from auto zone, but it was too big.

If you've never removed your steering stabilizer, expect that one to be hard to get off. (And now is a good time to install a new one.)

Procedure to remove tie rod end:
Loosen castle nut so there's 1/4" of play,
Soak with PB blaster
Tighten up puller
smack with a big hammer.

I ran into problems with the relay rod that connects to the steering arm.
If, like me, something fails and you mangle the castle nut, and round off the top of the bolt, do the following:

Hacksaw/dremel the top off the bolt until you get a clean/straight surface.
Drill/tap the top of the bolt with a metal/tap bit (mostly so the puller will have a place to grab). Then tighten up puller, smack and she should come free.

Be sure to clean out the threads and apply grease before threading in the new tie rod ends.

 

[zgcruiser]

HELP!

O so I got everything removed and installed my TRE but I can't get the drag link end to get in enough to get any threads on the other side..I'm think maybe has to be pressed back on? Any suggestion on how to put this back on? Also, is there anything I need on the TRE (washers, etc) besides the castle nut? I broke my old TRE on the trail so don't know what was all on it! Though I just realized I can look at the other side! Oh well too lazy to delete that last line!

 

[takeitforgranite]

O so I got everything removed and installed my TRE but I can't get the drag link end to get in enough to get any threads on the other side..I'm think maybe has to be pressed back on? Any suggestion on how to put this back on? Also, is there anything I need on the TRE (washers, etc) besides the castle nut? I broke my old TRE on the trail so don't know what was all on it! Though I just realized I can look at the other side! Oh well too lazy to delete that last line!

Just thinking out loud here - what exactly are you replacing? All four ends? Just one? Is it the TRE that you're installing onto the relay rod? It could be possible that there is still some metal remaining from the old TRE; there should be no problem with engaging the threads on the opposite side. Maybe there was some play in the end, and it caused the relay rod end to become misshapen? I would probably opt to replace all of them at the same time, just my .02

 

[cruiserpants]

Originally Posted by zgcruiser
"O so I got everything removed and installed my TRE but I can't get the drag link end to get in enough to get any threads on the other side..I'm think maybe has to be pressed back on?"

If it looks like the one in the illustration below - It is a tight fit, but you should be able to push it on enough (with your hands) to get the nut started.
Torque them to specs, and don't forget to put on the cotter pin.

 

[Spike Strip]

Does "Toyota" offer a TRE kit? Or do I have to order all separately ?

Anything else that outta be replaced while I've got the front end apart?

 

[johnbill]

Having just completed this job, I fully advocate penetrating oil, a big hammer, and lots of brute force. Seriously. I dented a pickle fork and broke a gear puller. They all came out eventually.

Also, when putting the new ends in, grease em up with a little anti-seize compound first. You'll realize why 100 000 miles later.

 

[Spike Strip]

I've always had trouble removing TRE's and various steering joints until I bought one of these:

OTC 7315A Universal TRE puller. I had the whole front end apart in 10 min. on my rusty-ass truck. Best 40 buck tool I ever bought.

 

[Gription11]

Ideas on TRE's from own experience

I am writing this to hopefully help speed the process for others.

Just replaced one broken TRE on passenger side. Broke the relay rod end in the process, using the pickle fork! I bought a repair kit which worked to fix the old relay rod end (you can order these from most local auto stores-about $30). I recommend a puller instead of the fork to prevent damage to the relay rod end. I found one at Autozone for $20! Instead of $40 as mentioned in some other posts. This should save you some hassle I hope. It's about as much as a pickle fork anyway, so it's more worth the $.
I took a photo before doing anything, which proved helpful in the replacement process. I could zoom in and see how many threads were exposed on the old end so I knew how far in to screw the new end.
I plan to replace the others as soon as I get the new parts from Kurt at Cruiseroutfitters. From what I can tell, his parts are better quality than other places. Some stores sell cheaper parts, but they may wear out quicker.

Good luck!

Gription11

 

[Gription11]

By the way, thanks for the tips in the previous posts. I wish I had listened about the puller from the beginning!

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

CCOT

We'll CCOT has their TRE kits on sale this month.....Anyone know if these are any good?

Tie Rod Kit

 

[Spike Strip]

I called CCOT and the ones they sell are Chinese-made. Buy at your own risk. Get the Japanese-made 555 or OEM.


Got mine from Mudrak. Quick ship. Good price.

 

[knucklebone]

Howdy ya'll!
I've been lurking here for a couple of years now and decided to register because I seem to be a regular visitor. So hello to everybody!

Now, my question about those TRE's:
Do any of you have the Trail-Gear's "Toyota High Steer Crossover Steering Kit" installed?
I'm planning to change the whole package from TRE's to rods to pitman arm, and am pondering between Toyota's own parts ($$$) and the substitutes.

If you have experiences with the Trail-Gear set, I would be glad to hear the up's and down's.

Thanks!

-edit- Oh yeah, my ride is a -87 HJ-61 LC, like the signature also states.

 

[Cruzerman]

The pickle fork works most of the time for me. However, I've had ones that absolutely refuse to come off, no matter how big a hammer! In that case, the tie rod end puller that Spike Strip listed is the shiznit.

 

[Rigger]

X3 on the OTC 7315A Universal TRE puller.

I have one. It works. And it works fast.

 

[cruiser88]

TAKE THOSE DAM TIRES OFF BEFORE TRYING.

They cause a bind.

I did a set last week. stared out with a pickle fork then a hammer then decided to take the damn tires off.

One wack off the hammer and they was off.

 

[workingdog]

I've heard talk here of people converting to TRE's off an 80. How complicated is it? How much gets converted?

Peter

 

[CMD82]

Has anyone tried a NAPA brand tie rod? Do they sell the 555 model? Also what would be a good basic steering dampener to install while I am in there?

 

[cruiser88]

Has anyone tried a NAPA brand tie rod? Do they sell the 555 model? Also what would be a good basic steering dampener to install while I am in there?

Call cruiseroutfitters and get the OME damper and tie rod end kit..trust me.

Monroe damper lasted a week on my62

 

[CMD82]

Will do 88, thanks.