Topic: ti rod end rusting?

[jared A]

i got the marlin SAS kit and the tie rod end that bolts to the pitman arm started to rust!! am i suppose to paint all of the ti rod ends? and what about the steering arms, am i suppose to paint those also?

[WHITE_TRASH]

Yup they'll need to be painted.  They are just bare metal with a light coat of oil on them when you get them.  So you should clean them with solvent or brake cleaner and paint them.  On the steering arms once they are installed just hose them with krylon and leave them.  If they are uniinstalled the cone washer seats and the seating area/trunion bearing pin should be taped off aswell. 

[jared A [OP]]

is krylon paint or is it a clear coat?

[KWP]

It is a brand of spray paint.

[jared A [OP]]

why do they advertise billet steering arms if they have to be painted??!

[WHITE_TRASH]

Billet steel is what they are made of.  As in a solid chunk of high quality steel that is cnc'd into a steering arm.  It will still rust because after all it is a chunk of ferrous steel which oxidises ie rusts.  Yes you can go right ahead and clear coat them.  thats actually what I will do once the 6 stud knuckles come out and I go to 6 stud arms.  No need to cover up such sexiness.

[jared A [OP]]

yea, i love the look of the billet metal. me and my dad were tlaking baout what billet ment cause we got some billet wakeboard racks for our boat that cost over 500 for just two! they are aluminum though so we dont have to coat them