Companies like global west are offering solid tubular tie rod sleeves that don't use clamps like the stock units and are solid, where the stockers have the slit down the side. Are the aftermarket solid ones worth the money? And do you know if both sleeves are included in the price ($52.25 for 1st gen camaro) ? Here is a picture from the global west pieces:

http://www.globalwest.net/adj-5.jpg

I bought something similar from Hotchkiss. They are stronger than the stock design (billet vs. a stamped steel part) by quiet a bit; but then again I have yet to break a stock one (and wouldn't want to be in the car if it failed). I replaced them as an insurance policy (plus they look better than stock).


Larger Dave

I've often wondered if stock is better at clamping and staying tight. The stock ones clamp down on a wide section of threads squeezing them together so it can't wiggle back and forth and loosen up. The type pictured just uses a jam nut and there is allways some looseness in the thread fit, the nut is just pulling out on the threaded tie rod to keep it tight.

It seems the car MFR's could save money by just using threaded tubing sleeves instead of the clamp type so maybe they have some good engineering reasons to stick with them.

The stock ones clamp fine and are plenty strong too.

I was having fun with some excessive throttle and large amounts of oversteer when I messed up...
The front tire hit the kerb, detroyed the lower ball-joint, bent an outer tie-rod and bent my lower control arm.
The stock tie rod sleeve was (and still is) just fine.

stock tie rod sleeves it is!! thanks folks!

Coleman racing makes several differnt types of the tubular sleeves for about half the price of GW or Hotchkiss. I think they look better (especially if you powderecoat them), but (as always) David has a good point. My car is just a daily driver, and there is no play that I can detect, so that is good enough for me.