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What To Do About The Fabtech Tie Rod Ends..

stlavsa

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stlavsa Senior Enthusiast

stlavsa

Posted
Posted

As I have read on this and other boards people always complain about the tie rod ends with the fabtech kit. I have had mine on for a I guess about 6 months now and they are shot... Do I just keep replacing them? I need ones from Fabtech or can I use any others?

 

I noticed the tie rod ends when i was changing my wheel/tire when I did this:

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=104324

 

Bent my wheel up hard

J-man67 Senior Enthusiast

J-man67

Posted
Posted

Just saw this...copied my reply from your bent wheel thread.

 

Its not the Tie Rod End failing, its just the boot. The boot is there to hold the grease in. I actually just replaced mine (boots) today. I just called Fabtech and they sent me out some. This is my 3rd pair. This time they assured me that they sourced new boots that resist the cracking/ripping/dry-rot. Time will tell. Anyway, its easy to replace them. Remove the TRE bolt, spank the spindle with a hammer/mallet until it breaks free. Get a small flat head screw driver and remove the old boot. Might need a 2nd set of hands to put the new ones on, but you will figure out how to do it. I had my entire suspension system off today and did these along the way. You can replace the boots with the wheels/tires still on the truck, just less space to work.

 

P.S. I know you had a bad experience with calling Fabtech and getting something, but I just called 2 weeks ago and got these boots sent out. GOOD LUCK

stlavsa Senior Enthusiast

stlavsa

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Just saw this...copied my reply from your bent wheel thread.

 

Its not the Tie Rod End failing, its just the boot. The boot is there to hold the grease in. I actually just replaced mine (boots) today. I just called Fabtech and they sent me out some. This is my 3rd pair. This time they assured me that they sourced new boots that resist the cracking/ripping/dry-rot. Time will tell. Anyway, its easy to replace them. Remove the TRE bolt, spank the spindle with a hammer/mallet until it breaks free. Get a small flat head screw driver and remove the old boot. Might need a 2nd set of hands to put the new ones on, but you will figure out how to do it. I had my entire suspension system off today and did these along the way. You can replace the boots with the wheels/tires still on the truck, just less space to work.

 

P.S. I know you had a bad experience with calling Fabtech and getting something, but I just called 2 weeks ago and got these boots sent out. GOOD LUCK

 

 

Thanks I talked 2 a guy they will send me the new boots..

J-man67 Senior Enthusiast

J-man67

Posted
Posted
Just saw this...copied my reply from your bent wheel thread.

 

Its not the Tie Rod End failing, its just the boot. The boot is there to hold the grease in. I actually just replaced mine (boots) today. I just called Fabtech and they sent me out some. This is my 3rd pair. This time they assured me that they sourced new boots that resist the cracking/ripping/dry-rot. Time will tell. Anyway, its easy to replace them. Remove the TRE bolt, spank the spindle with a hammer/mallet until it breaks free. Get a small flat head screw driver and remove the old boot. Might need a 2nd set of hands to put the new ones on, but you will figure out how to do it. I had my entire suspension system off today and did these along the way. You can replace the boots with the wheels/tires still on the truck, just less space to work.

 

P.S. I know you had a bad experience with calling Fabtech and getting something, but I just called 2 weeks ago and got these boots sent out. GOOD LUCK

 

 

Thanks I talked 2 a guy they will send me the new boots..

 

 

Cool, maybe this time you will actually get them haha!

stlavsa Senior Enthusiast

stlavsa

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Just saw this...copied my reply from your bent wheel thread.

 

Its not the Tie Rod End failing, its just the boot. The boot is there to hold the grease in. I actually just replaced mine (boots) today. I just called Fabtech and they sent me out some. This is my 3rd pair. This time they assured me that they sourced new boots that resist the cracking/ripping/dry-rot. Time will tell. Anyway, its easy to replace them. Remove the TRE bolt, spank the spindle with a hammer/mallet until it breaks free. Get a small flat head screw driver and remove the old boot. Might need a 2nd set of hands to put the new ones on, but you will figure out how to do it. I had my entire suspension system off today and did these along the way. You can replace the boots with the wheels/tires still on the truck, just less space to work.

 

P.S. I know you had a bad experience with calling Fabtech and getting something, but I just called 2 weeks ago and got these boots sent out. GOOD LUCK

 

 

Thanks I talked 2 a guy they will send me the new boots..

 

 

Cool, maybe this time you will actually get them haha!

 

 

 

Well got word that they have been shipped today! (heard that one b4 haha) so a few days I should have them.. Can they be re-greased? If so what you using? josh lacher from fabtech said they are meant to be greased when installed.

 

 

Also just realized you said you had your whole suspension system off?? Whats up with that?

J-man67 Senior Enthusiast

J-man67

Posted
Posted
Just saw this...copied my reply from your bent wheel thread.

 

Its not the Tie Rod End failing, its just the boot. The boot is there to hold the grease in. I actually just replaced mine (boots) today. I just called Fabtech and they sent me out some. This is my 3rd pair. This time they assured me that they sourced new boots that resist the cracking/ripping/dry-rot. Time will tell. Anyway, its easy to replace them. Remove the TRE bolt, spank the spindle with a hammer/mallet until it breaks free. Get a small flat head screw driver and remove the old boot. Might need a 2nd set of hands to put the new ones on, but you will figure out how to do it. I had my entire suspension system off today and did these along the way. You can replace the boots with the wheels/tires still on the truck, just less space to work.

 

P.S. I know you had a bad experience with calling Fabtech and getting something, but I just called 2 weeks ago and got these boots sent out. GOOD LUCK

 

 

Thanks I talked 2 a guy they will send me the new boots..

 

 

Cool, maybe this time you will actually get them haha!

 

 

 

Well got word that they have been shipped today! (heard that one b4 haha) so a few days I should have them.. Can they be re-greased? If so what you using? josh lacher from fabtech said they are meant to be greased when installed.

 

 

Also just realized you said you had your whole suspension system off?? Whats up with that?

 

 

Yeah, just take the old ones off, put the new ones on. Then with a grease gun, shoot some more grease into the TRE grease zerks until the boots are full. I took the system off mainly b/c I was bored and had an entire day to work on my truck for once. I did EVERYTHING as far as fluids go, rotated the tires, took the kit off and checked all of my bushings, then re-installed, re-torqued, then got my yearly alighnment/balance. Also go all of the mud and crap from underneath my truck. I am ordering the 1.5 BL and doing a shackle flip soon so I wanted it clean and ready. Only have 16,000 on the truck, 10,000 on the lift and everything was perfect. Not that it shouldn't be, just saying....

stlavsa Senior Enthusiast

stlavsa

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Just saw this...copied my reply from your bent wheel thread.

 

Its not the Tie Rod End failing, its just the boot. The boot is there to hold the grease in. I actually just replaced mine (boots) today. I just called Fabtech and they sent me out some. This is my 3rd pair. This time they assured me that they sourced new boots that resist the cracking/ripping/dry-rot. Time will tell. Anyway, its easy to replace them. Remove the TRE bolt, spank the spindle with a hammer/mallet until it breaks free. Get a small flat head screw driver and remove the old boot. Might need a 2nd set of hands to put the new ones on, but you will figure out how to do it. I had my entire suspension system off today and did these along the way. You can replace the boots with the wheels/tires still on the truck, just less space to work.

 

P.S. I know you had a bad experience with calling Fabtech and getting something, but I just called 2 weeks ago and got these boots sent out. GOOD LUCK

 

 

Thanks I talked 2 a guy they will send me the new boots..

 

 

Cool, maybe this time you will actually get them haha!

 

 

 

Well got word that they have been shipped today! (heard that one b4 haha) so a few days I should have them.. Can they be re-greased? If so what you using? josh lacher from fabtech said they are meant to be greased when installed.

 

 

Also just realized you said you had your whole suspension system off?? Whats up with that?

 

 

Yeah, just take the old ones off, put the new ones on. Then with a grease gun, shoot some more grease into the TRE grease zerks until the boots are full. I took the system off mainly b/c I was bored and had an entire day to work on my truck for once. I did EVERYTHING as far as fluids go, rotated the tires, took the kit off and checked all of my bushings, then re-installed, re-torqued, then got my yearly alighnment/balance. Also go all of the mud and crap from underneath my truck. I am ordering the 1.5 BL and doing a shackle flip soon so I wanted it clean and ready. Only have 16,000 on the truck, 10,000 on the lift and everything was perfect. Not that it shouldn't be, just saying....

 

 

Good to hear! I want to do all my fluids before winter strikes we'll see I hope I get the time..

 

Boots showed up today, Im gonna put em on sunday if I get a chance. trucks going in on monday, my new wheel showed up 2day too so getting alignment and wheel mounted balanced and putting my 20s back on i been rollin on the stockers... looks goofy with the lift.

stlavsa Senior Enthusiast

stlavsa

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Just saw this...copied my reply from your bent wheel thread.

 

Its not the Tie Rod End failing, its just the boot. The boot is there to hold the grease in. I actually just replaced mine (boots) today. I just called Fabtech and they sent me out some. This is my 3rd pair. This time they assured me that they sourced new boots that resist the cracking/ripping/dry-rot. Time will tell. Anyway, its easy to replace them. Remove the TRE bolt, spank the spindle with a hammer/mallet until it breaks free. Get a small flat head screw driver and remove the old boot. Might need a 2nd set of hands to put the new ones on, but you will figure out how to do it. I had my entire suspension system off today and did these along the way. You can replace the boots with the wheels/tires still on the truck, just less space to work.

 

P.S. I know you had a bad experience with calling Fabtech and getting something, but I just called 2 weeks ago and got these boots sent out. GOOD LUCK

 

 

Thanks I talked 2 a guy they will send me the new boots..

 

 

Cool, maybe this time you will actually get them haha!

 

 

 

Well got word that they have been shipped today! (heard that one b4 haha) so a few days I should have them.. Can they be re-greased? If so what you using? josh lacher from fabtech said they are meant to be greased when installed.

 

 

Also just realized you said you had your whole suspension system off?? Whats up with that?

 

 

Yeah, just take the old ones off, put the new ones on. Then with a grease gun, shoot some more grease into the TRE grease zerks until the boots are full. I took the system off mainly b/c I was bored and had an entire day to work on my truck for once. I did EVERYTHING as far as fluids go, rotated the tires, took the kit off and checked all of my bushings, then re-installed, re-torqued, then got my yearly alighnment/balance. Also go all of the mud and crap from underneath my truck. I am ordering the 1.5 BL and doing a shackle flip soon so I wanted it clean and ready. Only have 16,000 on the truck, 10,000 on the lift and everything was perfect. Not that it shouldn't be, just saying....

 

 

Good to hear! I want to do all my fluids before winter strikes we'll see I hope I get the time..

 

Boots showed up today, Im gonna put em on sunday if I get a chance. trucks going in on monday, my new wheel showed up 2day too so getting alignment and wheel mounted balanced and putting my 20s back on i been rollin on the stockers... looks goofy with the lift.

 

 

ordered a vette servo and fairbanks billet 4th hold servo too i hope they are here by mondee

J-man67 Senior Enthusiast

J-man67

Posted
Posted
Just saw this...copied my reply from your bent wheel thread.

 

Its not the Tie Rod End failing, its just the boot. The boot is there to hold the grease in. I actually just replaced mine (boots) today. I just called Fabtech and they sent me out some. This is my 3rd pair. This time they assured me that they sourced new boots that resist the cracking/ripping/dry-rot. Time will tell. Anyway, its easy to replace them. Remove the TRE bolt, spank the spindle with a hammer/mallet until it breaks free. Get a small flat head screw driver and remove the old boot. Might need a 2nd set of hands to put the new ones on, but you will figure out how to do it. I had my entire suspension system off today and did these along the way. You can replace the boots with the wheels/tires still on the truck, just less space to work.

 

P.S. I know you had a bad experience with calling Fabtech and getting something, but I just called 2 weeks ago and got these boots sent out. GOOD LUCK

 

 

Thanks I talked 2 a guy they will send me the new boots..

 

 

Cool, maybe this time you will actually get them haha!

 

 

 

Well got word that they have been shipped today! (heard that one b4 haha) so a few days I should have them.. Can they be re-greased? If so what you using? josh lacher from fabtech said they are meant to be greased when installed.

 

 

Also just realized you said you had your whole suspension system off?? Whats up with that?

 

 

Yeah, just take the old ones off, put the new ones on. Then with a grease gun, shoot some more grease into the TRE grease zerks until the boots are full. I took the system off mainly b/c I was bored and had an entire day to work on my truck for once. I did EVERYTHING as far as fluids go, rotated the tires, took the kit off and checked all of my bushings, then re-installed, re-torqued, then got my yearly alighnment/balance. Also go all of the mud and crap from underneath my truck. I am ordering the 1.5 BL and doing a shackle flip soon so I wanted it clean and ready. Only have 16,000 on the truck, 10,000 on the lift and everything was perfect. Not that it shouldn't be, just saying....

 

 

Good to hear! I want to do all my fluids before winter strikes we'll see I hope I get the time..

 

Boots showed up today, Im gonna put em on sunday if I get a chance. trucks going in on monday, my new wheel showed up 2day too so getting alignment and wheel mounted balanced and putting my 20s back on i been rollin on the stockers... looks goofy with the lift.

 

 

ordered a vette servo and fairbanks billet 4th hold servo too i hope they are here by mondee

 

 

Very nice! I need to do that vette servo. I also NEED to get these damn gears installed then a tune. I've been slacking!!!

stlavsa Senior Enthusiast

stlavsa

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Just saw this...copied my reply from your bent wheel thread.

 

Its not the Tie Rod End failing, its just the boot. The boot is there to hold the grease in. I actually just replaced mine (boots) today. I just called Fabtech and they sent me out some. This is my 3rd pair. This time they assured me that they sourced new boots that resist the cracking/ripping/dry-rot. Time will tell. Anyway, its easy to replace them. Remove the TRE bolt, spank the spindle with a hammer/mallet until it breaks free. Get a small flat head screw driver and remove the old boot. Might need a 2nd set of hands to put the new ones on, but you will figure out how to do it. I had my entire suspension system off today and did these along the way. You can replace the boots with the wheels/tires still on the truck, just less space to work.

 

P.S. I know you had a bad experience with calling Fabtech and getting something, but I just called 2 weeks ago and got these boots sent out. GOOD LUCK

 

 

Thanks I talked 2 a guy they will send me the new boots..

 

 

Cool, maybe this time you will actually get them haha!

 

 

 

Well got word that they have been shipped today! (heard that one b4 haha) so a few days I should have them.. Can they be re-greased? If so what you using? josh lacher from fabtech said they are meant to be greased when installed.

 

 

Also just realized you said you had your whole suspension system off?? Whats up with that?

 

 

Yeah, just take the old ones off, put the new ones on. Then with a grease gun, shoot some more grease into the TRE grease zerks until the boots are full. I took the system off mainly b/c I was bored and had an entire day to work on my truck for once. I did EVERYTHING as far as fluids go, rotated the tires, took the kit off and checked all of my bushings, then re-installed, re-torqued, then got my yearly alighnment/balance. Also go all of the mud and crap from underneath my truck. I am ordering the 1.5 BL and doing a shackle flip soon so I wanted it clean and ready. Only have 16,000 on the truck, 10,000 on the lift and everything was perfect. Not that it shouldn't be, just saying....

 

 

Good to hear! I want to do all my fluids before winter strikes we'll see I hope I get the time..

 

Boots showed up today, Im gonna put em on sunday if I get a chance. trucks going in on monday, my new wheel showed up 2day too so getting alignment and wheel mounted balanced and putting my 20s back on i been rollin on the stockers... looks goofy with the lift.

 

 

ordered a vette servo and fairbanks billet 4th hold servo too i hope they are here by mondee

 

 

Very nice! I need to do that vette servo. I also NEED to get these damn gears installed then a tune. I've been slacking!!!

 

 

I hear yah.. I put the stock wheels n tires back on the truck when I bent mine up, and it runs soo much better with the right gearing ahd the lighter tires.

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