Topic: Tie rod question

[scott_h]

I have an 86 runner with a 4" suspension lift that is eating up my tires.  The tie rods are tightened up til there are no more threads I need more to get it properly aligned. Is there any known replacement parts or should I send them to a machine shop to have more threads cut?

[85_4RNR]

I wanna say.......SAS it 

[scott_h [OP]]

I would love to SAS it but I need to fix this issue so I can continue with my plans.

[scott_h [OP]]

Anybody?

[junya92toy]

Why do you think you need more threads?

[scott_h [OP]]

Yep. It is toed out to compensate. That is eating up the inside of the tires.

[-Jake-]

Don't know how bad it is toed out right now.  If it is toed out around 1/2" why couldn't you just cut around 1/8" off each side of the little adjuster? 1/8" on each side of the little adjuster would be 1/4" gained on each side gaining you 1/2" overall.

[79coyotefrg]

Don't know how bad it is toed out right now.  If it is toed out around 1/2" why couldn't you just cut around 1/8" off each side of the little adjuster? 1/8" on each side of the little adjuster would be 1/4" gained on each side gaining you 1/2" overall.

[Snowtoy]

The adjustment range isn't your problem, unless you don't have oem replacement tie rod ends, or they aren't installed correctly.

What type of lift is it, BJ spacers and cranked t-bars, or lift brackets?
Did you put the lift on, have a shop install it, or bought the truck w/it already on it? 
If you installed the lift was it bought new or used? 

What are the conditions of the A-arm bushings?  If they are worn this could cause the lower arm to not maintain an a position, or cause the front or rear to be in/out causing the toe to appear to be off.  You could also have a slightly bent frame.  You need to get under it and measure the distance between the A-arms front and back, cross measure the frame between similar fixed points(say from cross member to lower A-arms), make sure that both ends of the adjustment sleeve start equally on the tie-rod end and steering linkage arms on both sides.

[scott_h [OP]]

Thanks for your reply. The runner has a 4" trailmaster suspension lift that was off another runner. The truck has never been wrecked. I have taken the truck to two different shops and they say the same thing. The tie rods are too  long and the threads need to go further down the shaft of the tie rod.Since I have modified the suspension from stock they do not seem to be able to make a suggestion other that toe in to compensate. Should I take the tie rod to a machine shop to increase the threads up the rod or is there a tie rod that I can buy and have them put it on?

[Snowtoy]

I have the same 4" trail master lift, that was installed on my rig after it was in a head on where the right frame was bent(repaired at a frame shop, but still not oem), I run 33's and I don't have a problem having it aligned, and I use all oem length parts.  Fortunately for me my buddy was a front end mechanic(now is in management)  when ever I come across a tech that says it can't be aligned, I give my buddy a call and hand the tech the phone. 

I would give a few other shops a call, and see if they have any real front end mechanics, not just certified techs who can't think beyond what the machine states.  If nothing is bent there shouldn't be any reason why the tie-rod end need any machining, and a real mechanic wouldn't have suggested it.

What size tires are you running, are the t-bars at stock setting?

[scott_h [OP]]

I am running 33's. t-bars have been loosened up to allow the front suspension to flex.

[Snowtoy]

Is the adjustment sleeve the right size?  If you aren't familiar with the way the adjustment sleeve works as you turn it, it pulls/pushes the two pieces of the tie-rod closer or further apart.  Given how it works, even if you were to machine more threads onto the tie-rod end, it will basically bottom out against the other part of the tie-rod(end that connects to the steering relay rod).

Bent idler or pitman arms, and worn ball joints can cause wear issues, and play hell w/techs who don't understand front end suspensions.