Tie rod end failure

[Docmallory]

Okay, I need an education here.

I took my 80 in for an alignment the other day. I was sitting in the waiting room and the guy comes in and says "I went to adjust the [relay rod or whatever] and the passenger side tie rod end just popped right off!" Evidently when the guy torqued on the relay rod, the tie rod end on the front side of the knuckle arm separated - with the ball coming out of the socket.

I'm no mechanic and am generally trusting, so when they told me it needed to be replaced I agreed. The part is on order and I'm without my truck for a couple of days. That's plenty of time to ruminate on this and think of some questions...

1) How common is this? (I thought only Fords and H2's broke tie rod ends)
2) Is replacement necessary?
3) What could have caused it - Please tell me this was something besides improper technique by the mechanic

(Why I was getting an alignment and why an alignment takes my truck out of action for 3 days are subject matters for another thread. )

 

[Altaf]

I had the exact same thing happen to me just a few months back... same side too. In my case, I was watching the "mechanic" perform the alignment. I was skeptical on how trained this guy was because he had problems operating the Hunter alignment machine - I knew he was a rookie just from watching him. I sat right outside the service bay and watched every move. To make a long story short, this shop tried to lie and tell me the tie rod end was broken when I brought the truck in and wanted me to pay for parts and labor. I let them know in no uncertain terms I wasn't paying for anything, that it was clearly their fault. BTW, they tried to order a generic tie rod end from some local shop. I told them that anything other than the OEM part was not acceptable. I got the truck back 4 days later with the OEM part installed - no charge.

In my case, I don't think the mechanic loosened the locknut to the tie-rod end. I saw him using a big pair of pliers and twisting the ---- out of the rod before I saw his face change colors (when he broke it). Your scenario may be different though. From what I understand, the tie rod is a common component to get damaged during some hard wheeling.

 

[sleeoffroad]

Not always the mechanic's fault. If the rod is frozen on the rod end and they can not get it to turn, then putting a beaker bar on a pipe wrench is sometimes the only way to try. If the rod end is worn, then it might pop off since you are applying force in the wrong direction for the rod end to absorb.

You can buy a single rod end from Toyota or you can get aftermarket sets with new rods. If the rod is frozen on the rod-end, then you might need the rods as well. There are heavier duty ones out there. Smart shoppers know where to get it (stealing Cdan's line)

 

[Docmallory]

Thanks for the info, guys!

Just an alert: In the U.S. Toyota parts catalog, the parts for the relay rod ends are reversed.

Right side (passenger US) is 45045-xxxxx
Left side (driver US) is 45044-xxxxx

Of course, if you order one from Dan, no worries, because he already knows this fact.

 

[scottm]

I recently looked into rod ends, trying to fix a clunk on the wife's truck. Once I wiped off the grunge it looked like they'd already been replaced once. It's probably the steering damper. Smart rod end shoppers might try http://www.sleeoffroad.com, in case you missed the last hint.

 

[Heffenoche]

I had the same problem last month. It was going to be two days before they could get the OEM tie rod ends in and suspected it may need a new rod too. I took the oppertunity to get the Slee heave duty relay rod and a set of tie rod ends. Had it all overnighted for about the same price as they quoted my for OEM and I got my truck back a day sooner. The Slee Tie rod end kit also came with the rod ends for the steering rod to boot. The only thing I regret was that I didn't notice that they had a complete kit that had the heavy duty steering rod. Guess I was in too much of a hurry to try to get parts to the mechanic to notice, but I wish I hadn't missed that deal.

 

[mabrodis]

It wouldn't surprise me that the tie-rod would not be adjustable. I had bent the rod behind the axle, tie-rod, relay-rod, whatever, anyway mine was bent. I got a new one from Christo and tried to unscrew the old one (also got a set of new ends). I had soaked the threaded parts with WD-40 for hours, everything was loosened, I even broke a few screw-drivers trying to help seperate the rod (where there's a slit in the side). I used a 18" pipe wrench to try to turn it, no dice. I then started kicking the 18" pipe-wrench, no dice. I was under the vehicle yanking/kicking with all my might, it merely laughed at me.

I then (against my better judgement) used a floorjack to push up on the 18" pipe wrench to try to get the arm to turn, I didn't push up on the jack until it lifted the vehicle or anything but alot of force, wrench was showing stress, etc...rod never budged. It was at that point that I broke out the sawzall and cut the ends off leaving the threaded part still in the bent rod. I didn't need either but just needed to get it all out, so that worked for me. Upon later inspection I don't think the tierod EVER would have turned in those threads, all rusted in there, so if you put enough force on it, I would not be surprised if it would just break the end like what happened to your's.

I threw all my pieces out and replaced with new ends and the beefy rod tierod from Christo, which I highly recommend.

Good Luck..
Mark Brodis