Which brand of 1-ton tie rod end is better?

thecarman

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2005
Location
Apex, NC
On my Chevy K30 (1-ton 4WD) I need to replace the right tie rod end, and both drag link ends.

I just looked online at NAPA, and I found these two different right-side tie rod ends available, the second costs twice as much as the first:

http://www.napaonline.com/masterpag...umber=ES2011R&Description=Tie+Rod+End+-+Outer
$24.49

http://www.napaonline.com/masterpag...umber=2692337&Description=Tie+Rod+End+-+Outer
$48.39

The same thing goes for the drag link ends - there is a 2-times-as-expensive version for each.

Should I go with the more expensive part? I'm *assuming* it is of higher quality, but the website isn't really giving me any information to back that up.

In general, is there a brand for these parts that is better than the others? And is there a "best cost" place to buy them from?

Thanks!
 
For my money, MOOG ssuspension and steering parts are hard to beat...but for something not race necessary, I just go with AAP el cheapos....
 
All the parts sold need to meet OEM spec. So with many of the parts your paying for the 1year vs lifetime warentee..

With the exception, of Moog wich offeres many beefed up parts for fix OEM poorly designed parts... (Idler arms and certain ball joints come to mind)
 
Moog are just not a bad way to go regardless, but like already stated, they are pricey at about 45$ a pop.
I have a midsize truck so the standard auto parts TREs would be fine for me. I would say its up to you with how you feel you need to go. And the warrantee issue comes into play too.
 
thecarman said:
On my Chevy K30 (1-ton 4WD) I need to replace the right tie rod end, and both drag link ends.
I just looked online at NAPA, and I found these two different right-side tie rod ends available, the second costs twice as much as the first:
http://www.napaonline.com/masterpag...umber=ES2011R&Description=Tie+Rod+End+-+Outer
$24.49
http://www.napaonline.com/masterpag...umber=2692337&Description=Tie+Rod+End+-+Outer
$48.39
The same thing goes for the drag link ends - there is a 2-times-as-expensive version for each.
Should I go with the more expensive part? I'm *assuming* it is of higher quality, but the website isn't really giving me any information to back that up.
In general, is there a brand for these parts that is better than the others? And is there a "best cost" place to buy them from?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

When I built the tie rod for the K5 I had (2) to pick from (on the one side, same brand just different numbers) and one was a cross to 3/4 tons and one tons the other fit some smaller rigs like 1/2 ton and jeeps so I ordered both told the guy that I wasted to look at them and see what looked better like 20$ more for one. looked and could see a difference in them think it was size of the ball and length.
Went with the bigger of the two and have had no problem.
Think the info was on rockstomper if I remember....
Jon
 
THe differance would be in construction.

The cheaper would typically have a nylon socket and smaller ball , while the more expensive would have a bronze socket bushing and larger ball.

As Jon said, you can noticably tell the differance if you set them side by side.
 
Thanks guys! Since I have the weight of the Cummins on this front end with 35-inch tires, and since it sucks that I have to get an alignment when I replace the tie-rod end (when I just got an alignment like 1k miles ago), I'm going with the more expensive, heavier built ones.
 
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