Bent Tie Rod (Drag Link)

Subject: Bent Tie Rod (Drag Link) Tue Jul 31, 2007 12:35 pm

I call it the drag link, someone else said it was the outer tie rod? If goes from the adjuster off the pitman arm down to the passenger side tire, and has the steering stabilizer attached to it.
First what is the proper name.
Second I bent it this weekend and it is only a couple of months old so the end is still good. The question is can I just bend it back or just have it realigned with out any work. It is not bent bad just a slight offset. My thought is that the metal would be weak if I just bent it back? I can get another one from a friend but I don't know the condition of the end.

Subject: Re: Bent Tie Rod (Drag Link) Tue Jul 31, 2007 1:42 pm

Upgrade. Rustys or one of those guys that make beefy tie rods. If you bend it back it will come back to haunt you.
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Subject: Re: Bent Tie Rod (Drag Link) Tue Jul 31, 2007 1:49 pm

It is the drag link. As far as bending it back it really is a component that you don't want to fail going down the road. I'd replace it with a new one or an unbent used one. the end should be reusable. with your vehicle being in such good position that is probably the best choice, particularly if it sees the road a lot. You may need a front end alignment after replacing the drag link.

A trail only rig would do fine if you straighten it out and weld some angle iron to it. Just my opionion though.

Subject: Re: Bent Tie Rod (Drag Link) Tue Jul 31, 2007 1:57 pm

Replace it... thats what I did with mine...

You could upgrade and use the same ends or just stay stock...

I personally stayed stock and went to a junk yard and picked about 3 up @ $10 ea...

I figure if I upgrade the force would just move further to another part... has to go someplace.

Like a fuse... keep popping the 10A, don't stick in a 20A... just carry a lot of fuses or move the power...

So I carry spares and stayed stock...

Just my .02.

Before I made my decision though I was looking at the currie set up... it replaces EVERYTHING... ends and all... why go HD if you are just reusing stock ends... that would have been the route I went had I upgraded.
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Subject: Re: Bent Tie Rod (Drag Link) Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:32 pm

The one I replaced a couple of months ago does not have a replacable end... So I would have to buy the whole thing again. Napa has it for $99 and Adams wanted $250. Maybe the one from Napa is a cheaper quality?

Subject: Re: Bent Tie Rod (Drag Link) Tue Jul 31, 2007 6:24 pm

I doubt it, steel is steel. dealers often double the price and even more than that. check quadratec and see what their price is. actually just checked and it is $99

Subject: Re: Bent Tie Rod (Drag Link) Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:02 pm

I would upgade unless you do what Tony did. It will happen again.
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84 Toyota Pickup open/welded, 33's solid front axle and rusted frame
07 FORD E350 SD (TOW VAN)

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Subject: Re: Bent Tie Rod (Drag Link) Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:40 pm

One issue I have seen with bending it back and welding angle to it is you create another weak link. I have personaly witness on two of my buddies rigs that the tie rod/drag link will snap at the end where the angle stops. Both of thiers snapped the threaded end of the ball joint. Just an FYI, I always carry stock spares with me.

Subject: Re: Bent Tie Rod (Drag Link) Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:05 pm

OK, everyone possible gave you a reply.

I call it a tie rod, that's the one going from the driver hub to the passenger hub, then the drag link from the pitman arm to the tie rod, do I have it right!

You're much better off getting a new one or picking up several from the junk yard, save money or at Rausch Creek they sell one that is supper thick and would take a lot to bend.

Then again, review and make decide your poison!

And that's my 2 cents...
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Subject: Re: Bent Tie Rod (Drag Link) Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:39 pm

Thanks for all the replys, I am going to get a new one and get the one from my freind to have as a spare. That and the fact that I will probably not be running for the Aug ride is all I am sure of at this point.... but ya know if I had to do it all again I would, with some slight changes.

Subject: Re: Bent Tie Rod (Drag Link) Wed Aug 01, 2007 8:34 am

Okay so now I see why there is confusion about what this part is. In the catalogs like Quadratec they are calling the part a Tie rod end, short (at pitman arm) and the other one is Tie rod end, long (at passenger side steering knuckle. that is for the 97-06 TJ. Now for the 87 to 02 wrangler they list a Tube, adjusting, long from pitman arm to steer arm and a tie rod end long, steer arm to steer arm. I've always know the rod between the steer arms, from wheel to wheel as the "tie rod" and the rod from the pitman arm to the tie rod as the drag link. hmmm

Subject: Re: Bent Tie Rod (Drag Link) Wed Aug 01, 2007 8:51 am

[b]
<H3 style="BACKGROUND: #f8fcff; MARGIN: auto 0in">[color=red]From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A drag link converts rotary motion from a crank to a second crank or link in a different plane or axis.

The term is commonly used in [color=red]automotive technology for the link in a four bar steering linkage that converts rotation of a steering arm to a center link and eventually to tie rod links which pivot the wheels to be steered. A drag link is used when the steering arm operates in a plane above the other links. The drag link converts the sweeping arc of the steering arm to linear motion in the plane of the other steering links.[/color][/color][/b]</H3>

Subject: Re: Bent Tie Rod (Drag Link) Wed Aug 01, 2007 9:00 am

So I guess when ordering the part call it a tie rod (long)???

Subject: Re: Bent Tie Rod (Drag Link) Wed Aug 01, 2007 9:43 am

Just got off the phone with Rustys and they said that tie rod (long) could be a slang term but it is a drag link.... the debate continues...

Subject: Re: Bent Tie Rod (Drag Link) Wed Aug 01, 2007 11:08 am

Tie rod is what it says... IT ties the steering arm to the knuckle..

Drag link is any bar coming from the steering source..

This debate has been going on for years and its always a Chrysler product when there's a question on it ...

Like I tell my guys.. If you want the link part that connects to the knuckle then say tie rod.. If you want the long bar then say Drag link.. If its all one piece and you say that it connects to the knuckle then you wont go wrong..

Chris, Did Napa take care of you??? $99 seems high.. Let me know if you havent gotten it and I will call for you..
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