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Does anyone know offhand or where to find info on ... maximum operating angles of TRE's (specifically the F250 ES308).
...i was wondering how the TRE's compare in anglurity to the SRE's i'm using right now. The SRE's i use are a 2 piece 5/8 x 3/4-16 with a static load of 27k lbs and misalignment of 26*.

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Let's celebrate the sixth anniversary of your question with an answer, Rob.
Kinda tough to measure, but the ES2027L (GM drag-link end) gets 30 degrees each way, as does the ES380L (Ford setup, upon which this thread is based).

Parts geek that I am, I took some pictures that I will eventually get online... the difference between the ES2027L and ES380L is that the ES380L uses a slotted body for best flex in line with the shank, where the ES2027L has a full-clearance body. The result is that the ES2027L can run 30 degrees off axis in any direction, tracing a circle when you run the tapered shaft around its extreme. The ES380L is constrained to maximum angle by its oval-slotted body, which results in a oval when you run the tapered shaft around its extreme. Sweeping the arc of a standard steering box with a cross-chassis drag link, this puts maximum travel within that oval, so this works.

FWIW, both the ES2027L and ES380L use a hourglass-clearanced tapered shaft, but their extended angle capacity comes courtesy of a secondary inner race between the outer cast body and the inner ball/shaft (need better pics). I haven't had a chance to verify this, but I think Erik nailed it -- there's a difference between drag link ends and tie rod ends... which is kinda frustrating, because everyone just calls 'em tie rods ends.

Randii

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