How much engagement in tie rod sleeves?

[Skip Fix]

Second Gen firebird. The original tie rod sleeves are 4 3/4" and the factory ends are 2" engaged. Yes a thinner stamped steel but it has 2" each side stapped to the end. My UMI sleeves are 4" plus the jam nuts make 4 3/4." but the replacement ends are a hair shorter and only get 1" in the sleeve. A ProForged sleeve is only 3 3/4" so would be even less engagement. 1" enough? Different brand or body style have the same threads but a hair longer? Until you tighten the jam nuts the ends feel kind of loose in it.

[dutch55]

I would hunt down longer ones. You run the risk of bending the tie rod with that much thread exposed. I did a search of: camaro tie rod sleeves
and found a bunch, including Summit Racing's catalog which lists several brands at prices ranging from under $40 to $70. The only one my quick browse turned up that had the length of the sleeve was DSE at 5.25 inches, but it shouldn't be much trouble to call several of the brands listed and find others.

[pitts64]

I like the stock sleeves best.. I was always under the impression those sleeves were for looks only.. On my 64 Pontiac, the tie rod ends almost touch, there's only about six or seven threads showing for adjustment...

[Skip Fix]

I do wish the different makers would list length in their discription. I'll look at the DSEs.

I rebuilding the front end on the 81 I have found some interesting differences betweem Camaros and Firebirds. Camaros had a longer 7" straight pitman arm compared to the Firebird's 6" dropped on. Both take the same 6" idler, but the Camaro center link has a curve to make up for the shorter idler and the straight pitman in comparison. Inner tie rod ends on the Firebird also have a slight cant besdies the upwards bend the Camaros do. And the Firebird center link and inner tie rod ends cost more!

[Skip Fix]

Looks like the longer DSE id for early model F bodies and 5/8 threads vs 11/16 threads on the second gens.

[Skip Fix]

Here is a shot showing another set of ends showing how little is in the sleeve.