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View Full Version : Announcement: SPL pro tie rod ends free update kit


08-01-2006, 01:22 PM
Since we first released our pro tie rod ends we have been continually improving our tie rod ends, making them stand up to the abuse of drifting. The design of the tie rod ends have been more difficult than expected because drifting puts alot of stress on the tie rod ends when the steering slams to full lock.

We currently have 3 versions of our tie rod ends--


Version 1 tie rod ends (sold uptill around Sep 2005), steel shank:

http://splparts.com/parts/silviashared/suspension/multilink/SPLTieRodEnds.JPG

Shortly after introduction we sent out high strength spacers for use with the version 1 tie rod ends:

http://splparts.com/doc/spltierodend/spltierodend13.jpg


Version 2 tie rod ends (sold from Sep 2005 - May 2006). We changed the design to make the tie rod ends easier to adjust and lighter, switched to chromoly shanks w/ super duralumin spacers:

http://splparts.com/doc/spltierodend/spltierodend20.jpg


Version 3 tie rod ends (July 2006) kept the same design as version 2 tie rod ends, the shanks are still chromoly but have been additionally heat treated. The 12mm thread on the top of the shank has been improved (fine pitch thread, thread stress relief) to reduce the likelihood of bending/breaking at the top (which has occured in a rare few cases mostly due to over-torquing). Also we switched to new QA1 high misalignment rod ends, which will allow the use of less spacers (less spacers make the tie rod ends stronger) to eliminate binding on very low drift cars:

http://splparts.com/images/TREV3RODEND.JPG


We are committed to providing the best product to all our customers, so we are going to provide to all owners of our version 1 and 2 tie rod ends a free update kit which will consist of our new heat-treated chromoly shanks, hardware, and aluminum spacers (for version 1 owners). The new QA1 high misalignment rod ends are optional (because the existing v1/v2 rod ends will work) but is recommended as they extend the range of motion of the ball. The pair of new rod ends is $25. Please keep in mind that the v3 tie rod ends are now $189, while v1/v2 tie rod ends were sold at $145/$155, so the cost of ownership is still lower :) BTW if you have the seals the will not work with the new high misalignment rod end.

Since a lot of our customers may have moved/changed email, sold their car, etc, so in addition to mass emailing our customers, I am also posting in the forums to ask customers to email us ([email protected]) with the following information to receive their update kits:

Name, shipping address, contact phone number
Whether you have version 1 or version 2, regular or short-type, tie rod ends
Whether you want the updated rod ends

If you want the updated rod ends you can paypal $25 to [email protected] or call us w/ visa/mastercard/discover.

DoriftoSlut
08-01-2006, 02:45 PM
I have the v3. high misalignment ends on my drift car. Happy to report that 4 events later, so far so good. The old ends gave me problems, as did stock ends, Teins, and JICs. The new SPL ends are the jam, they can handle my car being beyond low, and more importantly, the weight/force of 18x9.5 Equips in the FRONT.

These things are for serious rad. Kuah makes good products, and these are a testiment to his desire to please customers 120%. For drifting, its less about the "bumpsteer correction" and more about strength and abuse.

08-01-2006, 03:10 PM
I have the v3. high misalignment ends on my drift car. Happy to report that 4 events later, so far so good. The old ends gave me problems, as did stock ends, Teins, and JICs. The new SPL ends are the jam, they can handle my car being beyond low, and more importantly, the weight/force of 18x9.5 Equips in the FRONT.


Shoot me an email too please, you have like a "version 2.5" with the high misalignment rod end, but not the new heat-treated shank (which we just got done last week), I'll get those out to you and Aaron...

Flybert
08-01-2006, 03:19 PM
Just ordered my new high miss bearings. Thank you for making an even better design to work with cars like mine that are slammed and going full lock all the damn time.

az_240
08-01-2006, 03:40 PM
Just sent 25 to ya

Dousan_PG
08-01-2006, 03:48 PM
this is why SPLPARTS.com IS THE BEST!!!
seriously
thanks kuah
mine are still good (V2) but maybe ill get some V3s just incase one day who knows oor if one of those above 2 jackasses (lindsay/chris) break theirs..as they often do.
then agian i guess mine would break if i drove my car ....shutup you two.

A Spec Products
08-01-2006, 04:42 PM
this is why SPLPARTS.com IS THE BEST!!!
seriously
thanks kuah
mine are still good (V2) but maybe ill get some V3s just incase one day who knows oor if one of those above 2 jackasses (lindsay/chris) break theirs..as they often do.
then agian i guess mine would break if i drove my car ....shutup you two.

Seriously, for suspension SPL is kick ass. They know their stuff, period.

They always stand behind their parts, which unfortunately cannot be said for a lot of other companies.

McRussellPants
08-01-2006, 05:23 PM
Nifty, I'll roll up and grab a set in a day or two.


Once again, Kuah keeps it real with pure engineering mahem.

08-01-2006, 09:09 PM
They always stand behind their parts, which unfortunately cannot be said for a lot of other companies.

Thanks Logan, means alot coming from another vendor...

cdlong
08-03-2006, 05:01 AM
i'm up for an upgrade. i have the V1.5 i think. the spacers are high strength but not aluminum. i will just stop by next time i'm in austin. i need an excuse to check the place out anyway.

i can't decide if i want the new ends or not. i don't drift and my car isn't super low, but it would be nice to have a spare set on hand once these wear out.