Which Heavy Duty Steering Rods?

[strangy]

Hi all,
Suggestions for Heavy Duty Drag Link and track rod please.
Was thinking of the APT units. Any experiences or preferences?

[R2D2]

I've got APT on my D2. They took a few hits doing Billy Goat track in the VHC recently and barely left a mark. I thought they were good value and more importantly, made in Australia.

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[MLD]

Add high tough engineering (HTE) from MR Automotive to the list

MLD

[jimr1]

I'd bent a few , got used to straitening them out on the tow ball . Not much fun going down the side of a mountain in the rain ! I brought a new stronger tie rod/bar from Les Richmond . Not sure of the make , but a lot stronger than the factory one . I think I paid $300 odd but never had any problems , I'm pleased that I did !!.. Jim :)

[Pateyw]

Take a look at Rock Ware

[Dopey]

Gwyn Lewis also makes heavy duty and extra heavy duty "Sumo Bars" steering components.
He also makes good suspension stuff too, a lot of the cheaper stuff on the market that people buy "at a price point" are just cheaper much inferior copies of his designs.
Mike.


Edit: Ben from APT does good quality parts, got a few of his products, and would definitely recommend them too.

[VladTepes]

Add high tough engineering (HTE) from MR Automotive to the list

MLD


I have this. No dramas since fitting.

[Wolfman_TWP]

I have a set of Bearmach track rods in my Deefer. I got them before I found out that APT have them as well. Price wise they are around the same as the others $300-400 ish..

They are the Solid type, and are quite heavy. (Will take some impact to damage these buggers) I had my dealer fit them when I had my defender in for her 20K service. (They also came with new TRE's as well)..

Wolf

[strangy]

Thanks for the info so far.
I m going to go Australian made which pretty much leaves me with HyTuff/ Maxi Drive or APT.

The HyTuff/MaxiDrive rods have a clamp system similar to OEM for the tie ride ends, while the APT rods have lock nuts.

I can't see a significant benefit of one over the other.
Any preferences for retention type?

[Wolfman_TWP]

Mine has lock nuts as well. And my Series III has the Britpart ones, with the same lock nut setup..

Wolf

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[Wallaby Ted]

I have had the track rod from APT on the Defender and the Maxidrive ones (from 1999) on the County.

Never had any problems with either.

If I had to choose now I would lean towards the APT one but either would be good.

On the plus side Ben at APT really goes out of his way to help.


Richard

[strangy]

Thanks all for your input.
APT got the nod.