A vehicle steering system features several different components. Each component is critical for allowing the driver to steer their vehicle. One of the most vital components is the tie rod. It links the steering knuckle to the steering gear of the vehicle’s steering system.
Whenever you turn the steering wheel left or right, it activates the tie rods. You’re even using the tie rods when you stabilize your steering wheel so that you can drive straight. The tie rods assist you in controlling and stabilizing your vehicle. If they were to ever malfunction for some reason, it would become difficult for you to steer correctly.
There are many different types of tie rods available on the auto market. Choosing the correct tie rods depends on the make and model vehicle you drive. For instance, if you’re driving a Chevrolet Silverado with a Duramax internal combustion engine, you need to choose heavy-duty tie rods for it. Regular sedan tie rods will not work for it.
Best Heavy Duty Tie Rods for Duramax and Silverado
Below are the top 7 best heavy-duty tie rods for Duramax and Silverado.
1) Kryptonite Death Grip Tie Rods Ends KRTR11
The Kryptonite Death Grip Tie Rods feature a solid Hexagon steel body that is 1.25 inches long. It is very easy to adjust the tie rods because they have jam nuts on the right- and left-hand sides. The all-steel inner ball sockets are bulletproof and long-lasting. The outer studs are made of heat-treated Chromoly nickel.
Kryptonite is one of the best brands in the auto parts industry. They don’t believe in fine print or misinterpreting their product. That is why they offer a lifetime warranty on the tie rods after you purchase them. That should give consumers the peace of mind to know their investment is safe. If the tie rods malfunction or break with no fault of your own, you can receive a replacement from the manufacturer.
The Kryptonite KRTR11 tie rod model is compatible with all Chevy GMC 2500HD and 3500HD vehicles made between 2011 and 2019. You should have no problem fitting the tie rods onto any of these vehicles. Kryptonite Death Grip tie rods can withstand as much as 21,000 pounds of pressure. Compare that to the original equipment manufacturer’s tie rod model that falls apart after 9,000 pounds of force.
2) MOOG ES3488 Tie Rod End
The MOOG ES3488 Tie Rod End absorbs the impact of shock load and spring bind very well. Its all-metal design offers durability, strength, and a long lifespan. Grease flow is allowed to travel to the bearing surface to create less friction, which is a big reason why the tie rod lasts for so long.
Another reason why the tie rod lasts long is its heat-treated ball studs. They’re designed to match or surpass the original equipment manufacturer’s requirements for stopping premature malfunction and enhancing fatigue power. That is the perfect formula for a long-lasting tie rod.
You don’t need to be a professional auto mechanic to install the tie rod either. The installation is easy if you understand how to follow basic instructions. The housing and studs have wrench flats to simplify the alignment adjustment during installation.
MOOG engineers conducted thorough testing on this tie rod to ensure its quality and longevity. There are not too many other tie rods on the market that have been through such rigorous testing like this beforehand. It is just one more reason why you can trust MOOG and their ES3488 tie rod end.
3) ACDelco 45A1311 Professional Inner Steering Tie Rod End
The ACDelco 45A1311 Professional Inner Steering Tie Rod End offers superior strength, durability, and power. If you care about smooth steering as you drive your vehicle, you’ll appreciate the consistent torque that comes from this tie rod. Its double bearing produces very little friction so that it can resist extreme impact and wear & tear.
The ACDelco 45A1311 has been put through vigorous testing to ensure its durability and quality. It is a premium-quality aftermarket replacement for the tie rod found in many popular vehicles, such as the Chevy Silverado models.
ACDelco is an authentic auto parts brand of General Motors. This brand has been used to develop over 90,000 GM OE parts. It is one of the few aftermarket brands that people trust. Every ACDelco Professional tie rod is manufactured to surpass the original expectations set for it. That would explain why it is such a strong and adored tie rod.
4) SCITOO 6pcs Suspension Kit
The SCITOO Suspension Kit is compatible with several older Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra model vehicles. You can install the tie rods of this kit in a 2002 to 2006 GMC Sierra 1,500 AWD, 2002 to 2006 Cadillac Escalade, and 2002 o 2006 for Chevy Avalanche; among others.
The kit includes two ES3488 front inner tie rod ends, two K8987 front stabilizer bar links, and two ES3493T front outer tie rod ends. SCITOO is a renowned auto parts brand made of quality material and design. Comprehensive testing always gets done to the tie rods to ensure their functionality and sustainability.
The sway bar is there to stop the shaft from rotating if the heights of the wheels are not the same. The SCITOO brand gives buyers a one-year warranty on the suspension kit. There shouldn’t be any compatibility issues as long as you’re driving a Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra from the early 2000s.
5) Kryptonite Death Grip Tie Rods Compatible with 1999-2007 Chevy/GMC 1/2 Ton Truck Silverado Sierra Escalade Avalanche Suburban Tahoe Yukon 4×4 ONLY
The Kryptonite Death Grip Tie Rods are only designed for 4×4 trucks. Make sure you choose the right 4×4 truck, though. The tie rods are compatible with most Chevy and GMC vehicle models made between the years 1999 and 2007. These models include Sierra, Silverado, Avalanche, Escalade, Tahoe, Suburban and Yukon. If you have one of these models from a year before 1999 or after 2007, you won’t be able to install the tie rods to the steering rack successfully.
The bodies of each tie rod are coated with black powder. They are engineered to resist the heavy impact of heavy-duty vehicles. All the manufacturing and design took place in the United States. The right tie rod, left tie rod, inner tie rod, and outer tie rod of this kit do not come from any other country.
6) PartsW 6 Pc Steering Kit
This is the PartsW 6-Piece Steering Kit, which now comes with six pieces rather than four pieces. The six pieces include two rack & pinion bellow boots, two front inner tie rod ends, and two front outer tie rod ends.
The steering kit compatibility includes the 1999 to 2006 Rear-Wheel Drive Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Classic, 1999 to 2006 GMC Sierra 1500, and the 2007 GMC Sierra Classic. Like the previous steering kit, this one can also withstand harsh impact, fatigue, and the typical wear & tear you would expect from operating a heavy-duty vehicle.
7) PartsW 4 Pc Steering Kit
Parts Warehouse is back again with another powerful multiple-piece steering kit. It is compatible with Chevy and GMC rear-wheel-drive vehicles from 1999 to 2007. As long as they have rack and pinion steering capabilities, the kit should be compatible. It is meant specifically for the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 model vehicles.
The kit comes with two rack & pinion bellow boots, and two front inner tie rod ends. Parts Warehouse always delivers high-quality auto parts and components to customers, and they do once again here too. The tie rod ends have improved corrosion resistance in extreme weather conditions and other situations where wind and moisture are rising. The weather is no match for the Parts Warehouse steering kit.
Final Words
You’ll know when it’s time to replace the tie rod ends of your heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado vehicle. Steering will become much more difficult, and you’ll hear a squealing noise whenever a turn is made. The steering wheel will feel much more strange and unusual too. None of these things should be happening with healthy and viable heavy-duty tie rods.
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Do not wait too long to replace your factory tie rod ends with heavy-duty aftermarket tie rod ends. The latter are designed to surpass the quality and longevity of the factory OEM tie rods. If you can verify the aftermarket tie rod’s compatibility beforehand, you won’t have any issues with them in your vehicle for many years to come.
