I just had 2 front tie rod ends replaced on Sept 7th, went to Moab wheeling, and now, October 4th, I'm being told I need to replace all 4 tie rod ends (inner and outer).
This truck eats tie rod ends for lunch. Every year I replace anywhere from 2 to 6 tie rods. Are these things really that under-engineered? This means I'm getting my wheels aligned twice per year as well. Getting tired of this.
Are there any "heavy duty" options out there that can hold up to off-roading? What do you guys do?
In case someone is wondering how I drive off-road, our club motto is "slow as necessary, fast as needed" so as not to damage our trucks.
Thanks1998 Discovery LSE - Gold, 249,000+ miles, completely stock
2007 Range Rover SC - White, 63,000 mi
2006 Discovery 3 HSE - Locking E-Diff, Rover Specialties rock sliders, 275/65/18 Cooper STT PRO, LLAMS suspension controller, LR Expedition Roof Rack. Asfir Rear Diff, Tactical 4x4 (Gas Tank Skid, Rear Bumper, and Front Bumper w/12K winch), Traxide Split Charge System, Overland Solar + Lensun Solar panels
BBS Nanocom Evolution and Gap Diagnostics IID BT Tool
That is a good question and I don't have a precise answer but I do know the shop where I go for service uses top quality parts. Something like this here: http://www.roverparts.com/nxt/?page=1&...iscovery+31998 Discovery LSE - Gold, 249,000+ miles, completely stock
2007 Range Rover SC - White, 63,000 mi
2006 Discovery 3 HSE - Locking E-Diff, Rover Specialties rock sliders, 275/65/18 Cooper STT PRO, LLAMS suspension controller, LR Expedition Roof Rack. Asfir Rear Diff, Tactical 4x4 (Gas Tank Skid, Rear Bumper, and Front Bumper w/12K winch), Traxide Split Charge System, Overland Solar + Lensun Solar panels
BBS Nanocom Evolution and Gap Diagnostics IID BT Tool
7th Oct 2016 4:50 am
Biffysun
Member Since: 09 Jul 2011
Location: Central
Posts: 1790
^^If you bought the ones with the 2 yr warranty you'll be fine best option is to buy genuine and see how they fare, they do wear but surely not as fast as that unless they are sub-standard in the first place? I'm sure if they were as common a failure as you're having it would be well posted on here
7th Oct 2016 6:57 am
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8223
Genuine LR come with 1 year warranty, site sponsors AdvancedFactors have 24 months, mine last around 6 years bottom swivel joints can been beefed up to armoured specification. I was in Minnesota two weeks ago and could have brought you some over It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
7th Oct 2016 12:31 pm
L319
Member Since: 14 Dec 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 2083
According to my LR Dealer, Land Rover parts have 2 year warranty now in UK not sure what is offered by LR in US
Lets be clear about one thing, I OFF-ROAD my truck and that is the single cause of excessive wear (other than passenger vehicle engineered parts for an "off-road vehicle").
Off-roading voids any warranty on my these parts however my shop has warrantied at least 4 of my tie rod ends because they're good people and take care of their customers.
I've read about "armored" specs (RR Sport), but the part numbers seem to be exact same for D3 and RRS when ordering parts around here.1998 Discovery LSE - Gold, 249,000+ miles, completely stock
2007 Range Rover SC - White, 63,000 mi
2006 Discovery 3 HSE - Locking E-Diff, Rover Specialties rock sliders, 275/65/18 Cooper STT PRO, LLAMS suspension controller, LR Expedition Roof Rack. Asfir Rear Diff, Tactical 4x4 (Gas Tank Skid, Rear Bumper, and Front Bumper w/12K winch), Traxide Split Charge System, Overland Solar + Lensun Solar panels
BBS Nanocom Evolution and Gap Diagnostics IID BT Tool
7th Oct 2016 3:12 pm
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8223
Armoured are for the Discovery, but same spec as standard RRS, there is no such thing as a RRS armoured unless it is a "special".
There are two different types of tie rod ends, the later have larger diameter threads.It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
7th Oct 2016 7:00 pm
SteveNorman
Member Since: 14 Oct 2005
Location: Somerset
Posts: 1145
There are only one part number of the kits for a Discovery.
Original inner and outer joints are made by TRW. Genuine Landrover are also trw.
There are many aftermarket suppliers.
Even if you were off reading all day every day, they should last a lot longer. A good few years at least.
You need to make sure you know the manufacturer, as non genuine ones don't last very well.
TRW kits come in bright red TRW boxes, you can't miss them, they also have TRW stamped into the metal as far as I remember. If you need to know I can go look in the boxes.
The link you gave shows what looks like TRW ones, with the kits, nut, gaitor etc, but no where does it state oe, or original.
Best find out, or buy TRW or genuine Landrover.
While the part does wear out, it's only about as common as the lower arm bushes, and I Assume you don't renew those every few weeks!
Regards
Steve
8th Oct 2016 4:50 am
Mr.Tom
Member Since: 01 Jun 2014
Location: St Neots
Posts: 1641
Something else is wrong, they shouldnot be wearing out that quickly. Surprised off reading voids the warranty, I don't think it does here. Quite a few other people off road and don't get through them that quick.Sill protection - LED internal lights - LED reverse lights - boot liner - Dog Guard - Rock sliders
MY12 D4 HSE - been and gome
MY16 D4 Landmark
8th Oct 2016 6:08 am
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
It does seem rather odd as mine were still ok at nearly 90k / 8 years. The vehicle does not have reputation for eating tie-rods in any conditions.
Steve (above) is the master of such stuff but there can only be 3 possible causes - incorrect fitting, poor quality parts or badly worn or out of specification components elsewhere on the suspension that effectively change the load on the rods.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated. I'll do a little more research on parts and perhaps buy the tie rod ends myself and have the shop install them next time. I may have one more trip coming up later this month or early November on a rather brutal trail that has historically cost me about $700 each time for repairs and tie rod ends are usually in the mix. (bent strut, broken window, slashed tire, etc.)
It'll be interesting to see how long a different brand of tie rod end will last next time.1998 Discovery LSE - Gold, 249,000+ miles, completely stock
2007 Range Rover SC - White, 63,000 mi
2006 Discovery 3 HSE - Locking E-Diff, Rover Specialties rock sliders, 275/65/18 Cooper STT PRO, LLAMS suspension controller, LR Expedition Roof Rack. Asfir Rear Diff, Tactical 4x4 (Gas Tank Skid, Rear Bumper, and Front Bumper w/12K winch), Traxide Split Charge System, Overland Solar + Lensun Solar panels
BBS Nanocom Evolution and Gap Diagnostics IID BT Tool
Does anyone have any part numbers I should look at in particular to make sure I'm getting the correct units?1998 Discovery LSE - Gold, 249,000+ miles, completely stock
2007 Range Rover SC - White, 63,000 mi
2006 Discovery 3 HSE - Locking E-Diff, Rover Specialties rock sliders, 275/65/18 Cooper STT PRO, LLAMS suspension controller, LR Expedition Roof Rack. Asfir Rear Diff, Tactical 4x4 (Gas Tank Skid, Rear Bumper, and Front Bumper w/12K winch), Traxide Split Charge System, Overland Solar + Lensun Solar panels
BBS Nanocom Evolution and Gap Diagnostics IID BT Tool
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best option is to buy genuine and see how they fare, they do wear but surely not as fast as that unless they are sub-standard in the first place? 
I'm sure if they were as common a failure as you're having it would be well posted on here 
bottom swivel joints can been beefed up to armoured specification. I was in Minnesota two weeks ago and could have brought you some over 
