Tie rod ends as spares

[Pete67 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pete67]

On the weekend a friend broke the inner tie rod end on his vehicle. The rock/rut he hit actually took out a 20mm section of the rod so it was impossible to temporarily repair it. So unfortunately he had to leave the vehicle on the side of the track..

That got me wondering if I should be carrying tie rod ends as a spare.

So I am interested in the opinions of others to a few questions:

1. Do you carry them as spares?
2. If so did you buy genuine or after market?
3. Has anyone bought these eBay tie ends and how did you find them?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2-OUTER-T...#ht_2422wt_689

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2-RACK-TI...#ht_4309wt_689

4. I know they are advertised as left and right but can you get away with just on side and turn it around for the other in an emergency situation?


I appreciate the eBay tie rods are going to be china made with inferior metal but I am only interested in them as an emergency back up til I can get to the nearest Toyota dealership to get it repaired.

I have tried 4x4 wreckers but with no luck.

I appreciate anyone's comments,

Cheers

[LostDingo2 Find all posts View Profile Close LostDingo2]

Worth carrying if you are on that epic journey and remote...

what spare is not needed is always the difficult point. I have not carried but considering the spend involved and possible outcome it's a good solution. Could probably get away with attaching somehwere underneath as disaster kit?

Hmm....someone needs to make a disaster recovery box that can be atteched underneath out of the way.

[Guest Close Guest]

If they are cheap and you tuck them out of the way (cable tie behind front grille or in engine bay) I cant see any harm in it.

Unlucky though, must have been an epic track!!

[Davros Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Davros]

Tie rod ends are one those things that will stop you in your tracks no matter how good a "bush mechanic" you are.
I don't carry them as spares, but I regularly travel with a friend that always carrys them as spares. He is a mechanic, and carrys a heap of tools and gear. Many years ago he broke one in similar circumstances to you and was stuck for nearly two days. Lesson learn't for him.

[VKPrado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close VKPrado]

Aren't tie rod ends different left to right? I thought one was a left handed thread while the other was right handed, so this would mean that you would need to carry one of each.

Quite happy to be corrected on this if I am wrong.

[Pete67 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pete67]

Aren't tie rod ends different left to right? I thought one was a left handed thread while the other was right handed, so this would mean that you would need to carry one of each.

Quite happy to be corrected on this if I am wrong.

I'm sure you are correct. I knew they came in left and right but was unsure why so that would explain it