Tie Rod End Sets: Cheap vs Expensive?!

[Augusts96]

Fifty smackers for this set
OR
$171 smackers for this set!

I don't want to spend more than I need to but I definitely don't want to be doing this job again prematurely due to s***house quality tie rods!

Anyone had any experience with cheapo tie rods?

Cheers

 

[SMG]

Buy the 555's from Kurt at Crusier Outfitter's and be done with it.

 

[3_puppies]

there are 2 items on any rig that you should never take the cheapest route.

steering and brakes.

just my opinion.

 

[toyotaspeed90]

This obviously doesn't go for all sellers of less expensive TREs... but I had purchased a 5 piece set from Amazon for around $70 and it turned out to have only 2 that were usable/correct - partially because I had saginaw, but also because I have a LHD vehicle and they sent a set for RHD, which put several of the pieces with the wrong threading. Even though it's a US truck, US seller, and claimed for LHD only....

I spent about $100 buying the pieces individually that I needed from Napa, and the quality was much better.

 

[upperblack]

Buy the 555's from Kurt at Crusier Outfitter's and be done with it.View attachment 1300199

^^^^^ This

 

[Augusts96]

Then it's settled, I'll be going for the 555 Japan set. Someone on a Facebook group also recommended this set and suggested painting them if you want them to stay pretty (similar to discs). Looks like most the cheapos come from Taiwan by the way.

 

[Augusts96]

Say, how often do you guys grease your ball joints?

 

[upperblack]

That's a personal question

 

[ginmtb]

I got the 555's from Curt and painted them. Installation was easy and have not thought twice about them.

That being said if you need the tie rods themselves you can apparently still order OEM and you end up with the tie rods and ends (I think I read you have one extra tie rod the way they sell them). More expensive option but if your rods are thrashed might be a good way to go.

 

[sggoat]

I got the 555's from Curt and painted them. Installation was easy and have not thought twice about them.

That being said if you need the tie rods themselves you can apparently still order OEM and you end up with the tie rods and ends (I think I read you have one extra tie rod the way they sell them). More expensive option but if your rods are thrashed might be a good way to go.

They do come that way--one rod with one end--you gotta buy two rods to get both ends--but they are OEM--you'll prob never need to replace them again

 

[Fortywhiner]

This obviously doesn't go for all sellers of less expensive TREs... but I had purchased a 5 piece set from Amazon for around $70 and it turned out to have only 2 that were usable/correct - partially because I had saginaw, but also because I have a LHD vehicle and they sent a set for RHD, which put several of the pieces with the wrong threading. Even though it's a US truck, US seller, and claimed for LHD only....

I spent about $100 buying the pieces individually that I needed from Napa, and the quality was much better.

Same thing happened to me with cheap set from EBAY. Sent me RHD when the auction clearly stated LHD. Just an FYI. Rock Auto is selling a relay rod that comes with 2 555 TRE's installed. It is sold under the Elgin name and the part number is DS1240. The whole new relay rod with 555 TRE's was $44.84. The also have an AC Delco one for just slightly more.

 

[Fortywhiner]

Same thing happened to me with cheap set from EBAY. Sent me RHD when the auction clearly stated LHD. Just an FYI. Rock Auto is selling a relay rod that comes with 2 555 TRE's installed. It is sold under the Elgin name and the part number is DS1240. The whole new relay rod with 555 TRE's was $44.84. The also have an AC Delco one for just slightly more.

Here's the link to the new relay rod. They are calling it a center link. They also have the individual TRE's in Moog, Beck/Arnley, and ACDelco ranging from $15-20 each. They just might be 555's in the package just like the relay rod I ordered. Either way, I would trust those American brands more than anything from Taiwan.
1972 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER 3.9L L6 Center Link | RockAuto

 

[carreta]

Has anyone tried FUJI TRE?

 

[Tigerstripe40]

Buy the 555's from Kurt at Crusier Outfitter's and be done with it.

^^^^^ This

Shipping to Australia, where the OP is located, might make that a rather expensive ordeal...
Get OEM, if available, high quality aftermarket if it is not.

 

[Dynosoar]

Cheap you buy twice, expensive you buy once.

Just Sayin


Dyno

 

[DSRTRDR]

Buy the 555's from Kurt at Crusier Outfitter's and be done with it.

/this\ X a gazillion

there should be a supplier of those somewhere in Australia

 

[jgeoffr]

Heck, might even be cheaper to order direct from Japan in your case.

-Geoff

 

[Fortywhiner]

Doesn't Rock Auto ship internationally? I just bought the passenger tie rod end at Rock Auto from ACDelco for $19. It arrived in AC Delco box. Guess what was inside? That's right! Triple 5. If you buy all five TRE from Rock Auto in AC Delco, it will cost you about $84.00. That is the cheapest full set of 555's, I have found. Take a look at the pics.

 

[Fortywhiner]

Doesn't Rock Auto ship internationally? I just bought the passenger tie rod end at Rock Auto from ACDelco for $19. It arrived in AC Delco box. Guess what was inside? That's right! Triple 5. If you buy all five TRE from Rock Auto in AC Delco, it will cost you about $84.00. That is the cheapest full set of 555's, I have found. Take a look at the pics.

View attachment 1302311

View attachment 1302312

View attachment 1302314

View attachment 1302315

I guess they will sell out now. LOL!

 

[Augusts96]

Yep I'll be going for 555 Jap