Re: TOY: His is Bigger than Mine... (Rockstomper Tie Rod)

[Thom Singer <ntsqd@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Randy Burleson wrote:
> 
> Check out the pictures on Scott Ellinger's Rockstomper Rock Rod tie rod press
> release...
> http://www.outdoorwire.com/4x4/news/rockstomper/rockrod/
> 
> With a base tube of 1.25" 0.219-wall DOM tubing sleeves with 1.5" 0.120-wall
> DOM tubing, that baby is MASSIVE.
> 
> I wonder where you reach a point of diminishing returns. I bet Scott could find
> a third layer of tubing to press over the secondary sleeve, but I do have to
> wonder when the failure point moves off the tie rod itself and onto the tie
> rod ends or steering arms.

It already has gone past that point from what I've read. The failure mode in a test of the assembly on an EB was the bending of the right side tie rod end body.
This was done by suspending the entire front end of an EB on a rock by the steering linkage. Swapping out a tie rod end is an easy trail fix assuming you've
planned on that being the 'fuse' and have the part and tools with you, while bending a tie rod back is an iffy thing and could easily fatigue fail on your drive
home.

> I'd like a rotating sleeve on a tie rod so that I can hit a boulder and roll
> up it. ;) My tongue is mostly in my cheek, here, since the radius of the part
> is so small (the force would be more directly toward the center, instead of
> deflecting more on a tangent, which would make the sleeve want to roll).

I'm sure Scott could build you a tie rod large enough in diameter so that most contact is tangental. :) 

> My biggest reason for not upgrading my tie rod so far is that I want it to be
> the 'fuse' for my steering system... since the tie rod is much easier to swap
> in than the alternative: repairing a cracked frame, breaking a steering arm,
> or demolishing the drag link. I'll be adding a welder to my trail kit shortly,
> so I can fix any of the above-detailed breaks, but keeping a 'fuse' still makes
> a bit of sense.... I'm waffling.

I'd rather it was the drag link since then it can act as the 'fuse' for both front wheels instead of just one. To that end I'm planning on using a cut down
early tie rod as the drag link.

-- 
TS
Chico, CA

Why is Bra singular, and Panties plural ?