Prowler Bent Tie Rods

hewestsr said:

Has any one been bending or braking tie rods we have 4- 650 Prowlers and have bent and broke so many tie rods we started carrying spears ,,,, I set down at the lathe and built a system to fix the problem ,,, I bored a pipe to fit tie rod and welded it to the nut ,,,, we haven't bent one science ,,,,it will work on any Prowler with the 12x 1.5 thread ,, if any one is interested I have extra ones made up or questions [email protected]

Click to expand...

Can you get a picture of that set up?

My brother makes some kits that use heims and chromoly shafts and they are stout. never will you break that one, and the prowlers rack is so strong it wont break either. I was testing my suspension and was doing this 4 to 5 foot drop off in the desert and some of the arms we were testing were built 2" forward and would have a tendency to pull the upper rear arm mount bolt out of the frame, like rhinos do stock. Well I ripped it out twice and the only thing holding up the front end was the chromoly tie rods. and I bent the chromoly a little to so that tells me that the factory rack is tough.

I was told that if you go with the Heim style joint then you will break the steering rack. I just ordred 4 more tie rod ends. I bent 2 last time we went riding, we went to Jerome from I-17.

It's certainly possable, when ever you build one link of the chain stronger it finds the next weak link. It depends on how you set it up.

These Tie rod reinforcers do what they say, they help reinforce the weak spot of the Tie-rod and help it take more stress without bending or breaking, but will give away before a stock rack damages most of the time.

if you would like to try the tie rod stiffeners e-mail me and let me know ,,,, Randy has tried these out (ATVonics) and thinks they are all right ,, at least we haven't broke any steering boxes yet ,,, they work ,,that all I can say ,,, [email protected]

Hewester, does you tie-rod reinforcers look like the one's I posted a picture of, I'm just courious what yours look like.

They seem to work...a decent quick-eazy and inexpensive fix for a Prowler issue.

thats the ones I sent you ,,,yep look just like them ,, Harlan West

I didnt know that was you Harlen...yea I think your on to something with these. I have them posted on the web site as West Tie-Rod reinforcers.

A lot of inovation comes out of necessity.

Great engineering

yep,, it's me ,,,I been sending lots of people to your web sight to check out your stuff,, I am on a lot of forums and have sold a few of the stiffeners for $20 ,,, new tie rods are $22 each last time I checked so it is cheaper than a new tie rod and better than having to walk 20 miles back to the truck because you broke a tie rod

I am running basically the same set up as Warlock has pictured in his post except I traded out the chromoly tie rods for aluminum ones, (similar to what most sand cars run)
You should re-inforce the rack mounts on your frame, as the bolts will pull right through the metal mounting of the frame..

Can you post a pic of how you reinforced the steering rack?

Thanks Tim

ive broken many tie rods best thing to go with is the ones warlock has i have long travel now and thats what i have

I have West's Tie Rod Reinforcers and I think they work great!

So fare I have not had any tire rod problems knock on wood. Where do they typically bend or brake?

They will either bend or break at the threads.

At the steering knuckle?

by the ball joint where it hooks on to the tire.