Kazama or Tein, Tie rod ends

[racer98]

so which one do you like ???

[AutoRnD]

if you are talking about tie rod ends..
then the kazamas are better due to it being adjustable
where as the tein's is just a oe style replacement.

[S14 Wannabe]

So the thing that always bothered me about Kazama is the end links. It looks like the Kazama don't have dirt seals for tie rod end bearing.
http://www.raretrick.com/store/images/products/6214_detail.jpg


The Tein look like Moog tie rod ends. OE style.
http://www.raretrick.com/store/images/products/7366_detail.jpg

Kazama tie rod ends (since they are pillow ball) look like they'll be harsh on these San Antonio
streets. The Tein tie rod ends look better for daily driving.

And the actual tie rods look almost identical.
Kazama
http://www.raretrick.com/store/images/products/7517_detail.bmp
Tein
http://www.raretrick.com/store/images/products/6770_detail.jpg

This is a back and forth debate that I've been having in my head because I've been wanting to purchase new tie rods. I'm sure both are great products though it's just that one looks like it might be suited better for track only and smooth pavements than daily street driving with potholes.

[Dousan_PG]

neither
SPLparts.com outters!!

ive seen the kazama ones break easily. the end isnt very strong
the SPL ones are wicked stronger and MORE adjustability

also u can buy replacement parts/more pieces if you need from SPL, awesome US support. kazama wont back their shit up.

i use tein inners w/ spl outters. only because i used to have tein inner/outer and the outer oe bushing blew so upgraded to SPLparts.com outters

best decision.

[Muzzy]

+1 for SPL

OT...san antonio streets are nothing compared to houston!!! i found out the hard way!!

[MadScientist]

I have Kazama Tie Rod Ends (Outer) and Tein Tie Rods (Inner)

Tein is only 10% stronger than Stock S14 Rods.
Kazama, URAS, etc... are much stronger than Tein Rods... if I break the Teins I will more than likly get the Kazama, URAS, etc.

Tein Rods cost about $80
Kazama, URAS, etc. Rods are about $180

Tein Rod Ends are stronger than stock but still use a stock style grease bearing.
Kazama, SPL, etc. Ends uses a Sperical bearing and can be adjusted for Toe.

Tein - Street
Kazama, URAS, SPL, etc.. - Street/ Track

Peace
Drew

[Flybert]

SPL parts tie rod ends for the win. It's been a long time coming, but I'm finally going to be ordering mine this week and the car is going to get SLAMMED!!!!! I'm matching it up with z32 inners and spacers from SPL as well.

My tein inners and outers are going on my brothers car. One of the boots on the outers busted. They really don't hold up too well when the car is really low and for track duty. For his car it should be fine. The balljoint is still good. Trying to see if I can find a replacement boot.

[S14 Wannabe]

Peace
Drew
Off-topic primerAL says he loves you drew. And that now you're the past. Your name is Draw now. lolz. I dunno what the heck that is about. :eek3:

And yes Houston is much worse than S.A.

[Neejay]

When I did my research on tie rods, I came to the conclusion that OE s14 tie rods would be ok for me (I have a s13). This is only my crusing street car (not daily driven) and I dont go to the track/drift/autox or anything.

It all depends on what you plan on doing with your car. If its just street driven, I would just get thicker rods (s14).

[racer98]

thanks for the info, I think I would like to stay with the Tein ones also get some rack & pin bushing urathane ones, dammm it no one has this in stock in cali.

[KA24DESOneThree]

+3 for SPL.

Ordered Z32 inners and SPL outers to replace S13 inners and Kazama outers tonight. I want the extra bumpsteer adjustment, something Tein lacks.

[gotta240]

aren't the tein inners just the z32's? I'm confused!

I have brand new tein inner and outers, but i want SPL instead.

I think they sell a different version just for the tein inners, but if i recall, they dont look as good as a setup as the full spl ones.... Right or wrong?

[Neejay]

aren't the tein inners just the z32's? I'm confused!

I have brand new tein inner and outers, but i want SPL instead.

I think they sell a different version just for the tein inners, but if i recall, they dont look as good as a setup as the full spl ones.... Right or wrong?
Tein = s14 oe replacement (outter and inner)

[gotta240]

Thank you..... I know i got something mixed up.

The spl's use the z32 inners.

[ManoNegra]

SPL +4! I love mine.

[KA24DESOneThree]

Thank you..... I know i got something mixed up.

The spl's use the z32 inners.

SPL Pro uses Z32 inners. They offer shorter ones for S14 inners.

[gotta240]

damn u bastards and your spl parts! You guys were so convincing(and i am super happy with the tension rods/deflectors they just sent me) that i opted NOT to use my BRAND NEW teins, and buy some spls.. they should be here asap!

[KA24DESOneThree]

You made a wise choice, especially if you're planning on slamming your car.

I didn't buy the Z32 inners from SPL. I bought them from eBay for $20 less, shipped.

[i8yourfwd]

Yay for Kuah and SPL! :]

[Neejay]

racer98: what did you decide? Do you already have the tein's or were you trying to decide if you wanted to buy different ones, or new ones?

I dont know...my car is lowered, but I think I'll be alright with OE s14 replacements. As stated before, no track, autox, drifting, and hardly will be driven daily.

[Blues13]

Looks like he got the SPLs already, but I'll chime in with my 2 cents..

I got the tein inner and outers at first too.. and then my tein ends wore out a little after a year. One side was oozing pretty bad. I swapped them out for the SPL ends while keeping the tein inners and so far its all gravy.

+1 more for SPL.. uh, what is that 5 now? shit.. all this math.

[gotta240]

uhhh. can i have the "bad" teins then?

Just cause they are "oozing" doesnt mean they are bad AT ALL. The only thing that makes them bad is running them bone dry, or when they get "sloppy".

[BoNyG515]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/bonyg2004/Rear%20Wheel%20Bliss/Image003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/bonyg2004/Rear%20Wheel%20Bliss/Image005.jpg

those are the kazama ones I had on my car for less than a year, didnt even get to track it, barely drive it (got an 86 daily), and I was just making a very very low speed u turn into my shop. the thing that pisses me off the most is that more japan wouldnt sell me just that cone shaped bolt that goes through the tie rod end and steering knuckle. they wanted me to buy the whole set...I installed these properly myself less than a year ago and got the whole car aligned at my shop...

ive heard the kazama ones break but never believed it cuz the ones I heard that break are at the track...time to buy the SPL ones!!! cuz all I hear is good stuff about them

[Wei240]

interesting...

i went to a couple track (ok, cone) sessions with mine and no probs...

if it ever breaks, def getting a spl...

[FaLKoN240]

I've heard of that shit breaking, I just read your xanga too. LOL.

Yeah SPL after Kazama fa sho.

[McRussellPants]

Kazama eats cheese, they're the same generic chinese stuff as KTS and every local shop in japan.

The Aluminum buckles are cottage cheese.
The Rod end is smaller that zilvias aerodynamics comprehension.
The Shanks don't adjust at all, maybe like 10mm more than stock.

wiggity wack

[ladiesman8527]

i just blew my driver side OE tie rod end the other day...i was drifting all day, got home, parked the car and everything was fine. went to leave again, and the damn thing broke when i backed out of the driveway. im just gonna get tein inners and outers since theyre pretty cheap and seem to be the best for daily driving.

[Slidin240Wayz]

+ 654 for SPL Outer with Z32 inners. Kuah sells both.

Carlos

[91rps13]

damn this is helpful and posted right on time i [email protected]#$ up my rod too... and was planning to get tein or jic but i guess ill go with SPL instead.... eventhough i like jic...

some one "FAQ" this......

[Slidin240Wayz]

We don't need no freakin FAQ on tie rod ends.

SPL will be etched in everyone's memory.

Carlos

[kenversusryu]

I was wondering, if you use the tein inners on s14, and use spl outters... their website state that the shorter outters match the tein inners. But they recommend for drift use only and creates bump steer.

Anybody use this setup and what's your experience with it.

[Sir]

+10 SPL
Got the Z32 ones on the S13 and I love it.
I think my S14 will need some upgrades soon as well.

[Slidin240Wayz]

I was wondering, if you use the tein inners on s14, and use spl outters... their website state that the shorter outters match the tein inners. But they recommend for drift use only and creates bump steer.

Anybody use this setup and what's your experience with it.

The problem with the S14 inners is that it is too short. Kuah doesn't even push selling the ends to match the tein inners; he has had too many people run into problems with that. He always suggests the Z32 inners with the new version outers.

Carlos

[speedstar01]

i love spl and kuah is super helpful everytime i call

but has anyone tried Megan's inner or outer tie rods for their S13-14?

they look tempting, esp with a sale on them now!! :)

[kenversusryu]

The problem with the S14 inners is that it is too short. Kuah doesn't even push selling the ends to match the tein inners; he has had too many people run into problems with that. He always suggests the Z32 inners with the new version outers.

Carlos

then why wouuld they suggest the shorter outter version on the spl website combined with the tein inners? wouldn't it make sense to buy the longer outters?

[Slidin240Wayz]

I guess that is something he can fix.

Carlos

[ladiesman8527]

installed my tein inners and outers today. they feel great. i feel a much better connection with the wheels. when the tein ends go out, i'll get spls.

[SoSideways]

So anyone in here actually have the Tein inners and outters with a super slammed car?

How does it feel when you hit a bump going straight? Hit a bump while turning?

[ladiesman8527]

i dont know if my car is super slammed, but its pretty low. i scrape a lot. to me, when i hit bumps, whether turning or not, it feels fine. not harsh at all.

[KiDyNomiTe]

Tein!!, never broke, never had a problem, car is slammed, tried and tested by myself and a few other slammed cars. I love them. Only crappy thing is ball joints wear, but if and when its time to replace I will get another tein end.

There isnt any crazy amounts of bump steer that I notice, feels fine in turns or straight.

[motonagam]

I got z32 inner/SPL outer on my S14, and they are great! I track/autocross/drift my car, and I've had no problems with them. I recommend SPL!!

[FaLKoN240]

I have Kazama outers, and Peak Performance inners, I have to cut my inners because Kazama ends are SUPER LONG. The alignment is way off it feels like my car has 2 personalities.

[BoNyG515]

I have all stock now...just aligned it and now the steering feels really sloppy with the car lowered

[SoSideways]

Well I got stock tie rods, inner and outter, and they're pretty much blown to hell.

Already have a HICAS rack just chilling in my room, just gotta get some inner and outter tie rods and I can throw the HICAS rack on along with new tie rod boots (yay!).

Can't decide on the Tein setup or the SPL parts setup....

[BOROSUN]

i order outer kazama & inner tein set from phase2 and i got a blue one(not kazama obviously). ooh well, i like blue anyways. no cutting was needed and alignment was fine.

[FaLKoN240]

That's KTS. They're shorter I believe.

[S13 Charlie]

I hate to bump an old thread, but this thread is very informative. Anyway, to add my input; I have tein inner and outer tie rods (with spacers for more angle) on my S13. After a couple years on them, and maybe 6-7 months on coilovers, I think they're starting to let go. My car wanders a lot on the freeway. When I hit the gas it pulls right, when I let off the gas, it tracks back to center. My car is pretty damn low and the tie rods are at a very steep angle to the steering rack, it seems like it would cause a lot of wear on the ball joints, which I'm going to check this afternoon.

My question is on the SPL parts outers with Tein inners - I know one person has them installed - were you able to adjust the tie rod angle enough? And does it seem tough enough for daily driving + future track events?

[Flybert]

I would use spl outers for daily driving and track events. They don't bind because of the high mis bearing so they won't wear out very quickly.

[94cc0rd]

i'm glad this thread was bumped up...

about a week or two ago, just randomly i started hearing a clunk in the front pass. side suspension...

just today i checked it out and it seems to be the tie rod... but i'm not sure if it's the outer, inner, or both...

how would I make sure which to replace? i found out that its the tie rod by banging around on the rods in the front multi-link... when i hit the bottom of the outer tie rod end, it clunks (slightly, not as loud as when driving), and the inner tie rod end doesn't clunk...

i snapped a few pics just to show you guys just in case my description wasn't good... i'm a newb :(

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v420/sennett0r/IMG_3540.jpg


also, off topic, but this hose came loose and started dragging on the freeway on my way to work yesterday... i ziptied it up so i could drive it home without it dragging...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v420/sennett0r/IMG_3539.jpg

[Flybert]

It's most likely not the inner rod but it could be the steering rack. If there is play in the inner rod it could be the rack. If the stock ends have a lot of miles it would be good to replace them soon anyways and they don't cost too much. Also check your coilovers for loose perches and make sure the top nut isn't loose. Lastly, check your tension rod bushings to see if they are blown.

As for that vent, it releases pressure buildup in the transmission. Just make sure it's secured somewhere. It normally bolts up higher on the bellhousing of the transmission.