Steering Upgrades

[fishsticks]

The front locker already has me thinking about upgrading the steering... the fact that all of my steering components (minus the outer tie rods) have 100K miles on them is also on my mind.

My tie rods are the 14mm/12mm variety. I'm unsure if that's an early design thing or just a short wheelbase thing. There is a 16mm/14mm design as well, which seems to be used on the EXTs. The power steering pump for the EXTs is also different... and I'm assuming a bit stouter as well. The racks also seem to be slightly different.

All my steering works fine right now, so I'm not going to go out and buy anything quite yet. There's always the chance I come home Sunday on a flatbed with a shattered steering rack though.

Anyone ever looked at the differences in person? Anyone with a SWB model have the 16mm/14mm tie rods?

Reference:

http://www.compnine.com/index.php?u=1&y ... rouptype=B

http://www.compnine.com/index.php?u=1&y ... rouptype=B



I need to buy a wrecked out EXT as a parts donor...

[Trail X]

When you list the two numbers, what are you referring to?

I only knew we had 14mm and 16mm tie rods... (14mm on early 2002s and maybe 2003s?) what is the other number you're referencing?

[rgraboske]

I know that the original TBSS Mules used EXT racks. This is information I learned in 2004, so I don't remember why.

I replaced everything in my front suspension last year with the exception of the tie rods. I'm starting to notice some looseness, so I'll be upgrading to the 16MM's soon.

[fishsticks]

When you list the two numbers, what are you referring to?

I only knew we had 14mm and 16mm tie rods... (14mm on early 2002s and maybe 2003s?) what is the other number you're referencing?

The other number is the stud size that fits into the hub assembly. The one the castle nut goes on.

[The Roadie]

Yes. After I broke my first 16mm tie rod end, Teebes started to get nervous about his 2002 14mm versions. So he bought replacements, and then found out the steering knuckle end was also smaller, and his steering knuckle would have to change as well. I think he traded them in for 14mm spares. With wheel spacers, it's insane that we're still stuck with that weak curve in the tie rod end put there to support the close-in tires and the OEM turning radius. I was wishing for much stronger straight tie rod ends, until I realized I could be breaking steering racks or steering knuckles, so I just carry three spare tie rod ends now. And consider them to be like mechanical fuses.

[Trail X]

Ah, I didn't realize that the tapered pin diameters were different between the tie rods.

You could look around for a tapered reamer to open up the tapered hole:



Not sure what the proper angle is though... 10 deg?

You could also try to make your own straight tie rods with heim joints. All you need is a tapered stud like this to get you started:


http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Adjustabl ... GoogleBase

[bgwolfpack]

Number 20 in the Compnine (first) schematic is the TRE, should number 6 be changed at the same time? Compnine list them as an assembly but everywhere else they're listed separately, at least Rock Auto IIRC.

[Trail X]

This #20?


Sorry, I responded before I read your whole question.

#6 does not have to be replaced, but it should be evaluated at the same time as the outer tie rod joint. If yours looks remotely like this, it needs to be replaced.

[bgwolfpack]

Thanks for posting that James. Mario suggested that may be the looseness in my steering. Makes sense now thanks guys.

[weetwut]

Is changing the spindle the only change that has to be made? And will the 16mm spindle just bolt on to where the 14mm does without any other mods?

[v7guy]

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2510&hilit=steering

they're not talking about the spindle. This thread will help.