Bent Tie Rod (Drag Link)

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.

Upgrade. Rustys or one of those guys that make beefy tie rods. If you bend it back it will come back to haunt you.

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.

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.

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?

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

I would upgade unless you do what Tony did. It will happen again.

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.

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...

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.

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

<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 [color:b42d=red:b42d]steering linkage that converts rotation of a steering arm to a center link and eventually to [color:b42d=red:b42d]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.</H3>

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

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...

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..

That was the price Mike gave me, $99. I thought I paid less last time, and no I did not get it yet so if you can get me a better deal let me know. You have my cell right? if not 443 790- 9917

99 tj right??

Let me call

Yeah 99 tj 4.0

You paid $93 for it last time... Pull it off and take it up to him. Seems to be a covered under warranty........................






Must be a MRR thing............

You are THE MAN!!

No, I just know how to read warranties better than most.. LOL LOL...

Well thats worth the price of admission right there.

still get that spare you dont use it you will save someone elses day on the trails.