Topic: Tie Rod Sleeves

[HenryJ]

Today I took care of a weak link up front. Literally. The link between the tierod end and relay rod is small and is known to bend or break. These are just a couple examples:

H2 tierod failure

Pull Chevy bent tierods

Today I installed stainless steel sleeves on both rods:



They were on sale for $50 a pair from Merchant-Automotive. I had to drill the inside threaded portion down .125" so that the sleeve would thread on far enough to set the toe properly. A 9/16" drill bit did the job.

One less worry. Next up, servos.

[bluedevil]

Thats cool dude

I thought the 8.1 and/or the hummer h2 had bigger tierods than the avalanche. 

[HenryJ]

I thought the 8.1 and/or the hummer h2 had bigger tierods than the avalanche.

My parts store shows them (1500 Avalanche, 2500 Avalanche and Hummer H2) all use the same inner tie rod.

[bluedevil]

Cool, good to know.   I prolly misread it somewhere.

[MyBigToy]

So, besides lower cost, is there a benefit going with this option versus the Cognito upgraded tie-rods?

[HenryJ]

So, besides lower cost, is there a benefit going with this option versus the Cognito upgraded tie-rods?

Cognito Heavy Duty Tie Rod Steering Kit

The sleeves are one seventh the price. Replacement tie rods available at most parts stores over the counter , as well as a wealth of used parts if I get in a jam some place remote. The sleeves should last a lifetime.
Personally, I'm not a fan of open heim rod ends on a daily driven vehicle. Greasable and sealed from the elements work better for durability and life in the environments that I frequent.
My second choice would be some of the beefier aftermarket tierods like the Rare Parts Tie rod assembly:



There we go again with price and availability. Neither is good.

[Enkei]

Nice info.....  Thanks.... 

[Fowlhunter]

Cognito Heavy Duty Tie Rod Steering Kit

The sleeves are one seventh the price. Replacement tie rods available at most parts stores over the counter , as well as a wealth of used parts if I get in a jam some place remote. The sleeves should last a lifetime.
Personally, I'm not a fan of open heim rod ends on a daily driven vehicle. Greasable and sealed from the elements work better for durability and life in the environments that I frequent.
My second choice would be some of the beefier aftermarket tierods like the Rare Parts Tie rod assembly:


 

There we go again with price and availability. Neither is good.

I think this is the one for the HD (2500) folks?  Cognito makes them for the 1500 guys but they are pretty pricy.

[HenryJ]

The Cognito kit that I linked above is listed for : For the GM 00-06 6-Lug sport utility vehicles, including the Yukon, Tahoe, 1500 Suburban, 1500 YukonXL, and 1500 Avalanche $369 (kit)

The picture is of the Rare Parts 1500 tie rod $208.28 each.

Cognito does list a backordered "8 lug" tie rod. No price at this time.

[oHIobellboy]

The Cognito kit that I linked above is listed for : For the GM 00-06 6-Lug sport utility vehicles, including the Yukon, Tahoe, 1500 Suburban, 1500 YukonXL, and 1500 Avalanche $369 (kit)

The picture is of the Rare Parts 1500 tie rod $208.28 each.

Cognito does list a backordered "8 lug" tie rod. No price at this time.

And yours were $50 for the pair plus uses over the counter parts available anywhere. I like that research.

[HenryJ]

And yours were $50 for the pair plus uses over the counter parts available anywhere. I like that research.

THX. They are regularly priced at $65 for the pair now. Still not too bad considering the alternatives.

[oHIobellboy]

I'd love to see some pix or a little more detail on how you modded these. With the lift going on mine at 133,000 miles I'm sure the extra weight of the new wheels and stress from the lift, I'll start breaking stuff soon.

[HenryJ]

I'd love to see some pix or a little more detail on how you modded these.

Drop me a PM or email when that time comes. I bought two sets at the sale price. I can send them in a flat rate box and you can get them for $10 less than MA , with freight included  It was not clear that they were sold in pairs when I bought mine. I wanted to make sure I had what I needed. Now I have a spare set to get rid of.

Very easy mod. These just replace the lock nut. Mark the nut. Break it loose. turn the rod out of the ball joint. Measure the exposed threads to the nut. I used dial calipers to do this. Remove the nut. Coat the rod with anti-seize. Install the sleeve to the same point the nut was using the previous measurement. Thread the rod back into the ball joint. When the sleeve touches the base of the ball joint , stop and tighten it to lock.
Done.
If the adjustment gets messed up you will need to get the toe set by an alignment shop. If you are careful, not further correction may be needed.

Sounds easy , right? Well here is where Murphy will rear his ugly head...

Mine did not thread on the rod far enough to match the lock nut position that I had measured. I heard others that had cut theirs. Don't do that! Well, unless you have a lathe to true the cut end again. I do not.
The problem was that the threads in the sleeve were longer than the threads on the rod. I could not thread it on the rod quite far enough. I used a 9/16" drill bit to cut .125" of the threads from in the sleeve. After that the sleeve threaded on far enough to match the measurement.

If you're in the neighborhood, I'd be happy to help how ever I can. It is really not that bad though. Took about an hour by myself.

[The Beast]

Cognito Heavy Duty Tie Rod Steering Kit

The sleeves are one seventh the price. Replacement tie rods available at most parts stores over the counter , as well as a wealth of used parts if I get in a jam some place remote. The sleeves should last a lifetime.
Personally, I'm not a fan of open heim rod ends on a daily driven vehicle. Greasable and sealed from the elements work better for durability and life in the environments that I frequent.
My second choice would be some of the beefier aftermarket tierods like the Rare Parts Tie rod assembly:



There we go again with price and availability. Neither is good.

I have the Rare Parts tie rods on my Av...so far holding up really well!!! But, like you mentioned...pricey.

[MyBigToy]

If you're in the neighborhood, I'd be happy to help how ever I can. It is really not that bad though. Took about an hour by myself.

You - Oregon   OBB - Ohio

I don't think the odds are good that he'll be in the neighborhood any time soon, especially with his truck!  But it's great of you to offer. 

[HenryJ]

You - Oregon   OBB - Ohio

I don't think the odds are good that he'll be in the neighborhood any time soon, especially with his truck!

I agree, but you never know. I had a member of my forum drive 1400 miles for help with a body lift. My offer was the same , sort of one I was pretty sure would never get taken up on. boy was I wrong 
I'm always ready to help out if I can.