C2 Tie Rod Ends - Looking for recommendation

[Donald H.]

I'm looking for tie rod ends for my 66. I've looked at picture and pricing from:

Paragon - Description says "correct shape & boot" - $49 each.

Corvette Central - description says "correct" - $75 for a set of four

LIC - no claim other than the boot is not correct (they sell a 'correct' boot as a separate item) - Tie rod ends are $24.

America's Finest - "Tie rod ends comes with the correct hardware. They are designed to be like GM original" - $130 a set.

The Paragon, CC and America's Finest look very similar.

There seems to be quite a range in pricing. Anyone done any research and are there any that are close to originals in design?

Thanks,

Don

[Don L.]

Re: C2 Tie Rod Ends - Looking for recommendation

Hi Don. This is a timely topic for me as well with my C3. You should know that, at least for me, I was disappointed to hear that most all the vendors I talked to are out of stock on the "correct" style parts. Nothing at Paragon, Corvette Central, Doc Rebuild, Wilcox. They all commented on how they are on "indefinite backorder". NAPA parts look way different. I skipped them. I ended up ordering a set from Keen. I hope to get them and see how good they look early next week.

Of course this post doesn't help you much with your question, but I thought I would post to share how hard these parts are to fond right now and to keep your thread near the top pf the heap this morning.

Good luck with your project.

Don

[Donald H.]

Re: C2 Tie Rod Ends - Looking for recommendation

Please post back after you get them and let me know how they look


Don

[Mike E.]

Re: C2 Tie Rod Ends - Looking for recommendation

I bought some "Correct" Tie Rod ends from CC a couple of years ago. They were significantly different than the originals so I did not use them, I cleaned up my old ones and replaced the boot. If memory serves me correct they were sealed units and the grease zerks were only there for show.

I'll post some picture later today when I get home.

Mike

[Timothy B.]

Re: C2 Tie Rod Ends - Looking for recommendation

Mike,

Tie rod ends on the car are not sealed units, the grease fittings are very important.

Try to find some originals, I believe they are pretty much the same up to 1982 so plenty out there and probably cheaper that any reproduction junk parts.

[Gene M.]

Re: C2 Tie Rod Ends - Looking for recommendation

Stay away from any china junk. A while back there was discussion on junk china ball joints. I assume anything from china is JUNK. So ask before you purchase. The USA made Moog or TRW parts will stay together.

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Tie Rod Ends - Looking for recommendation

Mike,

Tie rod ends on the car are not sealed units, the grease fittings are very important.

Try to find some originals, I believe they are pretty much the same up to 1982 so plenty out there and probably cheaper that any reproduction junk parts.

Timothy------


Yes, the original tie rod ends required lubrication. However, I believe the "reproduction" tie rod ends are sealed units and the grease fitting is non-functional.

The 1963-82 original tie rod ends were the same. I suppose it's possible there were some nuance differences over the years but none that I know of. The part numbers never changed over the 63-82 period. I believe these tie rod ends were manufactured at Chevrolet-Buffalo until they were finally discontinued.

[Donald H.]

Re: C2 Tie Rod Ends - Looking for recommendation

We're the 1963-82 GM tie rod ends for corvettes and passenger cars the same?

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Tie Rod Ends - Looking for recommendation

We're the 1963-82 GM tie rod ends for corvettes and passenger cars the same?

Don------

Well, they were the same for a few applications. The left hand thread tie rod end used for 1963-67 Chevy II's was the same as Corvette. There may also have been some 1960's light truck applications that used the Corvette tie rod ends.

[Mike E.]

Re: C2 Tie Rod Ends - Looking for recommendation

Here is the parts that Corvette Central sold me as "Correct" I ending up saving my originals and NOT using the Repos. I could not really see anything wrong with the 50 year old part after cleaning them up. I did use repop boots. Are the originals still good? We will see how the car drives when I get it done. In the photos they don't look that different. Side by side no comparison.

Note the last two photo are my originals reinstalled on the chassis.












Mike

[Donald H.]

Re: C2 Tie Rod Ends - Looking for recommendation

Mike, yours look great. I believe mine are originals, but they are pretty loose. I am assuming that they should be stiff when trying to swivel them.

Since they are loose, am I better off just replacing them with what is available? I want the car to be in good driving condition when I finish the restoration.

Don

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Tie Rod Ends - Looking for recommendation

Mike, yours look great. I believe mine are originals, but they are pretty loose. I am assuming that they should be stiff when trying to swivel them.

Since they are loose, am I better off just replacing them with what is available? I want the car to be in good driving condition when I finish the restoration.

Don

Don------


Yes, they should be "stiff". If they're loose, they probably need replacing. You can always clean up and save the originals for some later installation when strict originality is more important than driving.

For now, use Moog tie rod ends. Their configuration is different than original but it's really not that noticeable except to chassis judges. I don't know where the Moog tie rod ends are manufactured now. The last time I checked they were made in Canada. But, now, I don't know. A lot of chassis parts for older applications in particular are manufactured in China now. This is especially true for cast or forged parts. So, if it's important to you, check before you buy.