tie rod help???

[Highatop]

I just found out, I have a bad inner on the drivers side. When I was gettin my new tires and it was jacked up and the tire could be moved back an fourth. They said it was my tierod. Outfitters has an aftermarket tierod, would that be stronger replacement or the same as the 16. Mine is an06 base. Also its loose is the next thin to happen, it just break off. I'm also new to this and have never none tierods either. Thanks for any input...:huh:

 

[digglesworth]

those HD tierods are def an upgrade but I cant seem to justify the price tag...

 

[4speedfunk]

When you consider all the wrenchin involved to change just the tie rods...its not much more work to swap the entire rack. I've replaced several rack units and you basically open the box and bolt it on. All of the replacement racks I've seen came with 16mm rods, and they are pre-adjusted and ready to run. Only one time did I have to make an adjustment...(one turn on the tie-rod), and I think that was due to worn A-arm bushings on that truck. IMO...I would go for the total replacement, not only because its an easy swap...but you can use your old rack & tie-rods for trail spares. Racks are only $275 or so, and that includes 16mm innner & outers. Not sure what (2) inners and (2) outers cost separately...but it might work out close to the same price, by the time you have to jack with swapping and adjusting all four individual TREs.

The whole assembly is considered to be a "component", and it comes that way for two reasons...LIABILITY and SHOP TIME. Its just much quicker to change the whole enchilada than it is to trouble-shoot, diagnose, and swap individual pieces. Not only that but, when the tech is done with the repair, he can rest assured that the ENTIRE steering system is fixed and that vehicle will not come back into his shop. This is why its sometimes hard to find individual tie-rods at the dealer, and also why I've never heard of a dealer swapping a single tie-rod. I'm pretty critical of GM...but I gotta admit, they got "component-izing" down to a science. I'm sure they have done studies on such repairs and they've determined that this is the cheaper fix. Otherwise it wouldn't come as a complete assembly.

Best of all...by swapping the entire rack, you can also do the bushing fix (of your choice) at the same time!

 

[digglesworth]

That all makes perfect sense... It would be nice to replace the whole thing with new and might consider it if my rack ever goes out. But I got a set of 16s for a good price so with the rack mount, I'll be around $300. I don't think my truck was ever really wheeled before I got it so I'm hoping there isn't any excessive wear (more than the normal bushing/c clamp deterioration)...

Ps... To pull the rack to install the OD rack mount and bushings, does the front diff need to be moved or pulled out of the way?

 

[Highatop]

Ok, that make sense. My 3 is an 06 base w/ 97000 mi. and it is loose. I feel it more now w/ the 315s. So, would the GM House be the best place to get the parts. Mine bein an 06, it would be 14mm and upgradin to 16mm. I would not be able to use the old ones for spares, correct...Also, gettin a new rack an rods, I would still want to upgrade the steerin bracket too, correct...And now to the install. Everythin we have done already has been bolt on mods. How hard is the replacement of these part. We are greenhorns at this point and have never did a front end. Tools, I would invest in so I have for the trail too. And a place to do this is another. I could use a freinds garage, I'm just not sure for how long.

Thanks for the help tryin to steer me in the right direction, haha:corn:

 

[digglesworth]

I'm in the same boat. I use my grandpa's garage... You would still want to do the rack mount even if you replace the rack. The rack isn't the issue. What your most likely feeling is the stock passenger side mount allowing the rack to flex. The mount kits replace that side with a new clamp to better secure the rack. As far as spares, you could use them but you'd be forced to replace both inner and outer on the trail. I would try and find someone that has some extra 16s or just buy 3 complete 16s (inner and outer) if you go that route. I like the idea of putting in a new rack and keeping my old one as a spare but I dont have a bunch of extra money. The rack mount seems to drastically reduce the risk of snapping a rack so carrying an extra rack on the trail doesn't seem like such a necessity any more. It's really a toss up and depends on you.