Chop and weld Tie rods? or cut more threads? what to do!?

[Dr OnHolliday]

Regarding flexing tie rods, I'm sure you all know that standard off road practice is to either reinforce the stock tie rods with added internal rod (sway bar) or sleeved on the outside with tubing...not much flexing going on there...especially when coupled with a shorter tie rod lengths...and it works fine in an abusive off road application that tests everything well beyond street use.

The next step up off-road wise, is using larger than stock tie rod ends and larger, stronger tubing for the tie rods.

Regarding welded components and nanny states - if the part is welded "fat" and carefully ground down and painted - who can tell??

.
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[EMPIImp69]

If the below is for a 4" beam. How much am I removing for a 3" beam 7/8"-1" off each tirerod? Thanks

For a 4" Narrowed Front End:

Remove - 1 3/16" to 1 1/4" for the short Tie Rod
Remove - 1 1/4" to 1 5/16" for the long Tie Rod

Overall Dimensions after cutting -
Short Tie Rod - 7 7/8"
Long Tie Rod - 22 5/16"

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[marklee]

in the UK, welding tie rods will result in an annual inspection fail....
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[EMPIImp69]

[slalombuggy]

Buy them and cut and thread them yourself. I don't know about where you live, but if a car is found with non-factory welded steering parts it gets yanked off the road and has to go for a certification inspection. I would never weld tie rods together and it's way easier to just cut and thread them, takes me less than 10 minutes to do one.

brad

[EMPIImp69]

I can do either the cut/weld or tap one end method easily for my 3.5" beam. but I need new tie rods and tierod ends. Does it make sense to buy pre-shortened tie-rods with new tie rod ends or is it much cheaper to buy stock ones and shorten them myself? Thx
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[buggin65]

I agree with your engineering principle but you need to consider the application. We are not talking aircraft, we are talking air cooled vw's with forty year old safety technology anyway. You are in a tin can at 70 mph, your gas tank is in front of you and you are worried about tie rods flexing? Moto did a more than adequate job of splicing, measuring, and sharing what was learned.
All that aside, I bet you that joint is stronger than the rest of the rod because of the bolt inserted. Sure, takes longer but saves money and time no need to order tap.

[Abscate]

[Adam91]

When I've done this I have cut the middle and taken a sway bar from a beetle and cut it up to fit inside and weld to that. The sway bar piece you cut will fit perfectly inside the tie rod.

[goualon69]

[Sanders23]

Found this to be a great write up but an curious as to what make the slot important? why not just weld the first bolt to the end of the tie rod? And of course tap the tube. Mostly why the slot?

Anders
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[Doodoob]

Thanks!

[Michael Fischer]

Thread pitch is 1.50.

[Doodoob]

What is the thread pitch for the RH Tie Rod Ends? I can get 14MM taps for 10$ but not sure if I need the 1.25 or the 1.50??????

[slalombuggy]

Cutting and re-tapping the threads is the only safe way to do this. and is the easiest. Yes all you welders will say yours are safe, but tie rods a made to flex a bit to take up bumps in the road, especially the long one. You've just taken out this function.

Borrow or buy a 14mm tap and a hack saw or tubing cutter and do the job right and safely. It takes 20 minutes to do it this way.


I don't know about where any of you live, but if your car goes for a DOT inspection or road side inspection and they see welding on ANY suspension components where there shouldn;t be here, your car is automatically flagged and impounded. No manufacturer has ever used spliced tie rods why should we ????

brad

[CoffinCustoms]

Im building a car from scratch and dont have stock tie rods to go off of. What is the length eye to eye for the two rods stock? I dont need any around the bush answers. I will be able to adjust a little but I'm curious where to start. Or narrowed for a 4 inch (ill do less math


Thanks!
Grant

[vdubtt]

anyone have a inner diameter of the tie rod? i dont want to cut mine and have to run out and get the steel rod

[IN2RUST]

[quote="Cusser"]Note: Tie rods have both left and right hand threads.


All you really need is either one. You only have to cut one side, then re-tap it. Alot easier and safer than a cut and weld in my opinion, but i have the tools to do it.
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[Motomazzo]

[perrib]

Very nice job.