Who Makes The Best Heavy Duty ATV Tie Rods and Ball Joints?
I am sure you folks have had to replace tie rods and ball joints on your bikes once or twice at least. Well, most of you anyway.
Which ones do you prefer, and what have your experiences been with the different ones you have tried?
I like to keep small parts like this on hand in the tool box and just looking for the best options for when my factory ones break. So far, I have been lucky.
Currently, I am looking at the ASR (American Star). Wanted to get some feedback on these and others though before spending the money.
I have never looked into aftermarket tie rods.I always build my own,I use 5/8 in cold roll shaft and so far have never had a problem with them bending or breaking.On my custom built bike I used 1in shaft with 3/4in heim ends.For a polaris I have heard good things about EPI ends and rods,but never had any hands on with them.
Scribner, you bring up an excellent point, building your own is not difficult. Anyone interested in learning how can look up any stock car race shop/catalog and find many parts that are sized right for tapping right and left threads. As far as rod ends or heim joints. go for the higher grade with highest shear load and breaking strength. The good stuff is out there and will outlast any oem part. I happen to use 1/2 blackmax rod ends on the front of my race car and aluminum 5/8 joints and rods for the rear. If indy cars can hold suspension pieces up with 3/8 rod ends (heim jts.) I have confidence in their ability for atv service. Just never let a jam nut go un-tightened, it will break because of the shock loads. I bet many of oem stuff has broke because of a loose jam nut.
lock-tight blue, safety wire in a bottle.
I use Gorrila axle set-up on my rincon 650 and put them through anything I can find pulling with 28" Outlaw tires and have not had any problems in 2 years
Who Makes The Best Heavy Duty ATV Tie Rods and Ball Joints? 
