Warning GW Tubular Tie Rod Sleeves

[RamAir]

So my plan was to change the OEM Tie rod sleeves and I order the Global West adjustable sleeves. I was surprised when it was not possible to mount it on the tie rod. I grabbed a 5/8" tap and guess what, the threads was in such bad shape. Look at the picture ! This is a $65 part ($100 dollar with shipping to Sweden) and completely useless without one 5/8-18 RH and LH tap, probably nothing you have in your toolbox. I am so tired of these bad engineered parts covered with glossy powder coat. I have complain to GW but no respons so far.

M

[chevelletiger]

Why didnt you make them yourself?i thought i saw a lathe in one of your posts.would have been cheaper too.i bought different Lh-Rh taps for projects like this

[RamAir]

Unfortunately I do not have a lathe. Since I have to buy a LH tap it would be better if I did make them by my self. You learn every day ....

[Rick Dorion]

I had the same problem with a Hotchkis tie rod sleeve.

[Quickboat]

A tap is only as good as the guy who uses it. Skilled labor is becoming scarce...

[chevelletiger]

A tap is only as good as the guy who uses it. Skilled labor is becoming scarce...

actually those tie rods etc. are made on cnc lathes now,and the messed up threads are due to cutter wear.but your very right about skilled labor becoming a thing of the past.i still run a manual lathe and mill set up,and a litte bit of design where i work but we are a small shop that does small runs.

[DarkoNova]

Gotta agree with chevelletiger.

I work at a machine shop and if we had the measurements for the sleeve we could have made them in about 5 minutes and they'd work perfectly.

Though I've spent a ton of time talking to the owner of GW (my memory is pretty bad, so I've forgotten his name), but he was definitely a standup guy and their parts are definitely quality pieces. I'd like to chalk it up to a bad batch that got by the QA inspector, but you never know...

[RamAir]

What surprises me most is that they have a e-mail adress for customer support but nobody seems to read or reply .....

[exwestracer]

Welcome to USA 2013. More and more (NOT all) companies are like McDonalds... They don't care if they screw up your order, because someone is in line right behind you.

[David Pozzi]

GW has never been very responsive to emails. Phone calls are best.
We have a similar thread about Proforged tierod ends on Team Camaro: http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=214920
& here is one on Chevelle adjusters: http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=359282

With tie rod ends being made by more manufacturers than ever, there is more variance these days in tie rod thread OD, Root diameter, & fit. Older tie rods had rolled threads but the threads were not fully formed. I have some recent production Delphi tie rods & the threads appear to be cut, & the threads more distinct. The stock sleeves clamp the threads so thread depth isnt that important, but on the GW type sleeves it's important to try & have a snug thread fit or the jam nuts will tend to come loose. There are classes of thread fits, - read this: http://www.cutting-tool-supply.com/TechTips/Tapping/HLimitsClass/HLimitsClass.htm

Instead of a careless worn out tap, it may be that a tighter tolerance tap was intentionally used to insure less slop in the threads of an important steering component. Tapping the sleeves with a common tap may allow you to screw the sleeves on, but try wiggling them front to rear with jam nuts loose & see if you think the fit is close enough that they won't shake the nuts loose when tightened.

[RamAir]

Thank you David, always a straight answer from you. The reason for me to replace the OEM sleevs was interference problem between the brake tubing and the clamp. With this knowledge I had probably solved the problem in a different way. Learning the hard way .....

[exwestracer]

Good point David, but wouldn't the class fit depend on the male end fastener as well? I believe in the OP, RamAir said the tie rod ends wouldn't thread in at all. Seems like GW should at least make sure that any standard male end would work without having to modify the sleeves...

[j-c-c]

Maybe 6? years back I bought from a reputable manufacturer a set of alum TR sleeves for a mopar, however the bore was so oversized before they tapped the 9/16" threads, one could almost pull the screwed in TR out by hand without turning. Pure junk, not fixable, and very un-safe if un-noticed by the user. I still have them on the shelf as a reminder to check everything.

[LS1-IROC]

So who makes good ones? I have to order a set this week.

[parsonsj]

I used Speedtech sleeves on the Tommy Camaro. Worked great.

[slowcamaro]

So who makes good ones? I have to order a set this week.

If you know what length you need you can get them dirt cheap from one of the many stock car suppliers. I ordered mine through coleman racing.

[killer69]

I used Speedtech sleeves on the Tommy Camaro. Worked great.

I was going to say?

[LS6 Tommy]

Call GW & ask to speak to Doug Norrdin directly. I have always dealt with him directly & he has never done me wrong. I asked him for rear springs that would give me stock ride height for my 80 Malibu with 27" rear tires. He spec'd out rear springs for me that we're dead-on...

Global West 1-877-470-2975

Tommy

[rustomatic]

Good thing my Unisteer stuff did away with adjuster sleeves. There's beauty in simplicity...

[David Pozzi]

I always wondered why GM & many other mfr's used the clamp type adjusters. It turns out they hang on pretty good.
Ray, I think there is more variation in tie rod threads these days. The OEM tie rod threads were barely there compared to some new ones I have. I'll see if I can post some photos of them.

[another69]

I agree with rustomatic- I'm much happier with the Unisteer setup too. I would never consider anything else but a rack in any future build. As far as the sleeves, that sucks. Aftermarket quality varies from crap to spectacular. You get burned once by a manufacturer and you really reconsider using them again. There are so many great companies that support this hobby that the customer really has the advantage.

[exwestracer]

I've been making my own (for heim joints) out of steel, 4130, and aluminum for years. I've only ever used a standard 5/8 NF tap, and never had any fit or failure problems...