Looking at some aluminum ones (6061-T6).

 

I would put steel sleeves with steel tie-rod ends.

 

Why?

Not being an ***, I just want to know....

 

If it's a street car steel only. Aluminum is OK for racers. Why ? Because a race car gets checked over much more often then streeters. If an aluminum one would get loose the threads would get beat out in no time on the street, not good. Aluminum links are used mostly to protect the chassis in cases of contact. The link gets bent or fails so the mount points stay intact. Easier to change a link bar than to fix a bent chassis. I've saw sprint cars get hit, go flipping, look like they get tore up pretty good. Come to the pits, get a new wing and front axle links and be back racing in 20 minutes. Hope this helpes explain, Dean

 

go with steel

 

Aluminum fatigues

 

BS! I've been running aluminum for years, never had a problem. The typical aluminum sleeve has a much larger wall thickness than a steel one. i like the hex ones, they are easy to adjust and you can put your wrench everywhere.

 

You can believe it or not. There is a reason why the aluminum one is thicker. I would never use one on a street vehicle. And I would always inspect them on a race vehicle.

Aluminum experiences fatigue. It is a fact. It has a fatigue life. Also a fact. And if you buy the aluminum sleeves that are anodized, the fatigue life is even less. Believe it or not. An aluminum part WILL break. It may be after several thousand miles, but it eventually will break.

 

Not if it is designed and manufactured properly, you make it sound like every alu part is susceptible to failure, then we shouldn't be driving modern cars where almost all of the suspension parts are aluminium, especially corvettes.

 

Some tie rod ends are already aluminum from the factory, and I wouldn't hesitate to use Quality aluminum sleeves. I would stay away from any that aren't made by a reputable company.

 

He asked an opinion. I gave mine.

Every aluminum part that experiences any force through it is susceptible to failure. It all depends on when it will fail. When it is properly designed, like you said it will last. But it will not last forever.

But if you ask me my opinion on which to use, I will give it. What is the benefit of running aluminum tie rods on the street? Steel ones are stronger, will last longer, and normally cheaper. Weight? not enough of a difference by itself to be worth it. If you are going for the lightest possible car you can build or design, then yes go aluminum. Just like the corvettes.

 

Didn't I say why? They are full hex all the way, not just 2 little flat spots that once all buggered up make it a PITA to adjust.