2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Tie Rod end upgrades

[PRohr]

I am needing to replace the right inner and outer tie rod ends on my truck. I did the left one at the wheel and at the pitman arm last year and I should have done them all but cash was tight and the right side was still tight... . but anyway. I was looking and there really isn't a reason why Heim joints couldn't be used instead of the tie-rod ends. Does anyone make an upgrade kit with heim joints? I will get H/D Moog parts to replace the stockers but if the heim joint upgrade is reasonable why not and then never have to do it again. I suppose I could get the inserts and the DOM tubing and some joints and make up my own with some grade 8 bolts but I would need to figure out some way to keep the adjusters in there for alignment purposes. Any thoughts or links?

 

[DieselDoghouse]

Heim joints would be great but double check the warranty terms on the Moog parts - if its lifetime then you're covered.

 

[Batphreak]

Personal opinion here, but heim joints I don't believe would be an upgrade for a road vehicle. They work great on off road rigs, but on those they're thrashed intermittently, then cleaned quickly afterward, plus they don't see as much of the fine dust and road grime that a street vehicle would. I'm quite certain that heim joints would eat themselves apart on a road vehicle due to lack of dust protection. However, if you do a google search for dodge truck steering upgrades there are a few posts on other sites detailing an update to heim joints on Dodge steering and an "upgrade" to GMC tie-rod ends that are cheaper than the Dodge components, both of those solutions require some minor fabrication to put the system together. $0. 02

 

[PRohr]

Thuren Fabrication makes a heim joint system but it won't fit with stock rims.

 

[CumminsPower98]

I would have to agree with Batphreak. I'm sure there are things out there that I haven't seen but from what little I do know I wouldn't suggest it for normal road use. For one thing you have to drill the tapers out. If you decide you don't like it later on and want to go back to OE you would be buying more parts. My DT Track bar has a heim at the upper end and it didn't last as long as I was expecting, nor did my cousin's. I replaced it with one that I think is a higher quality so time will tell. Years ago I too was wanting to upgrade to a heim joint system but decided not too and I'm glad now. The OE stuff is working fine for me.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Some people use Luke's Link repair kits to rebuild tie rod ends Luke's Link

 

[PRohr]

There are seals made now for the Heim joints to keep dirt and grime out but I'll probably just replace them with Moog units as I can just fix those two and it will cost me a 1/4 of the money that the swap would.