FABTECH Tierods DO bend

[KenP]

Just got back from getting an alignment and the Fabtech tierod on the PS is slightly bent.

CP did it.

It looks as though nothing else is messed. Whew...

So, since they were able to align it spot-on, should I replace it?

[HummerNewbie]

Damn, the tierod did bend. Didn't look like it was the tierod that was bent. Good thing it was a Fabtech, would have really hated to have a stock one break right there if front of all those guys. Glad everything else was OK.

[DRTYFN]

Originally posted by KenP:
Just got back from getting an alignment and the Fabtech tierod on the PS is slightly bent.

CP did it.

It looks as though nothing else is messed. Whew...

So, since they were able to align it spot-on, should I replace it?

Leave it to Bompy Dompy to bend a HD tie rod.

[alldunn]

Originally posted by KenP:

CP did it.

Women

[HummerNewbie]

I just looked and don't think we even have any pics of the spot it happened.

[KenP]

There will be no video, but I will tell you the tire was flapping around like a doll in a shark's mouth. Besides, we wouldn't want all the publicity that comes with being a superstar, Alec.

So should we replace it? From a metalurgical standpoint, metal generally gets stronger when it's bent, right? But would it snap easier?

[KenP]

Originally posted by HummerNewbie:
Damn, the tierod did bend. Didn't look like it was the tierod that was bent. Good thing it was a Fabtech, would have really hated to have a stock one break right there if front of all those guys. Glad everything else was OK.

You can't tell unless you turn the rod, then the rod moves in an eliptical arc.

[CO Hummer]

Big Bent Nasty. Sorry to hear it Ken.

[NJ H2]

Originally posted by HummerNewbie:
Good thing it was a Fabtech, would have really hated to have a stock one break right there if front of all those guys. Glad everything else was OK.

x 2
Bummer it happened but Better Bent than Broke!

[ratesguy]

What kind of compensating did the alignment guys have to do to make it align with one side bent? I would replace it as I think you will have wear issues because of the compensating, but I really dont know what I am talking about, I think?

[ShaggyX]

Originally posted by ratesguy:
What kind of compensating did the alignment guys have to do to make it align with one side bent? I would replace it as I think you will have wear issues because of the compensating, but I really dont know what I am talking about, I think?

Who would know more about compensating then an H2 owner?

[KenP]

The front PS tire got wedged against a 3' ledge at left full lock while the rear tires were bound against a rock. Any movement put force against the rod.

The ball joint isn't bent, if that's what you men, Phil. When turning the tierod, you can see it move up and down in an elliptical motion.

I'm thinking I should just replace it.

Know anywhere I can get one?

[2-H2's]

KenP,

When I dropped my SUT off Monday for the face lift. That was one question the shop owner had for me. We discussed FabTech's beefier (if it's a word?) parts & the only weak link was the 7/16" threaded end where the tie rods connect. He said that this would still create a problem & would not make the truck indestructable since something always has to give.

The only solution was to change front ends or modify the OEM parts...I'm not to keen on changing the front end of a truck with 3K miles on it, so I may try to modify in some fashion. The only remedy I can come up with is manufacture parts & cut out the weak items. Since I have these capabilities at hand I will probablly opt for this route. I'll keep you up dated over the next few weeks.

My suggestion is replace the bent tie rod or threaded piece...which ever it is. Just my POV... Good luck with it!

LC

[PARAGON]

Yeah, I would think it's the joint and not the "rod" part itself. It's hard to imagine something even like the centerlink not going before bending those rods.

I wasn't up there when it happened but from where it happened it would seem that the PS front tire plowed a little into a rock while trying to move forward. I would think that joint is slightly fubared because it was even suspect when we were looking at it as it appeared to be at more of an angle than the DS.

[KenP]

Alec, yes.

Fabtech warranty says I'm screwed:
The Limited Lifetime Warranty excludes the following Fabtech items; bushings, bump stops, ball joints, tie rod ends, limiting straps, cross shafts, heim joints. These parts are subject to wear and are not considered defective when worn. They are warranted for 60 days from the date of purchase for defects in workmanship.

But I'm still going to call them. The worst that can happen is I get told "No".

[PARAGON]

Originally posted by 2-H2's:
KenP,

When I dropped my SUT off Monday for the face lift. That was one question the shop owner had for me. We discussed FabTech's beefier (if it's a word?) parts & the only weak link was the 7/16" threaded end where the tie rods connect. He said that this would still create a problem & would not make the truck indestructable since something always has to give.

The only solution was to change front ends or modify the OEM parts...I'm not to keen on changing the front end of a truck with 3K miles on it, so I may try to modify in some fashion. The only remedy I can come up with is manufacture parts & cut out the weak items. Since I have these capabilities at hand I will probablly opt for this route. I'll keep you up dated over the next few weeks.

My suggestion is replace the bent tie rod or threaded piece...which ever it is. Just my POV... Good luck with it!

LC

The OUTER tie rod is what is the problem on our trucks. The stock one is about 1/4" in dia. and will bend if blown on hard enough. The Fabtech tie rod ends replace this with hardened steel that seems to be at least 1 inch in diameter.

As far as the threaded piece you are referring to, you would have to manufacture a complete centerlink to replace something that, to this point, is not known to be prone to failure. The threads just simply hold it butt up against the center link and that pressure is exerted laterally through that butt.