610 mule bent tie rod

goat33 · 08-24-2009

Does anybody know were you can get aftermarket or used tie rod ends on a 610 mule? Mine is bent, dont wont to pay 600 for whole assembly.Its threaded on so it looks like you could replace just that piece. Tried unisteer but no luck or dont know how to order.

RCW · 08-24-2009

The tie rod ends are available through Kawasaki, just check under the Frame section on their parts diagrams.

The end that is press fitted with a socket one the end of the rack proper is not replaceable, and you are in for the whole rack from Kawasaki. Some of the steering rack rebuilders can replace it for you depending on if the housing is still sound. The cost with shipping two ways on the rebuilders is now close to what Kaw charges for the entire rack. If you have a steering rebuilder local to you, you may want to give them a call and see what they can do.

If you have a good shop and are skilled, the aftermarket VW style racks made for the dune buggy and desert racer market can be fitted, and are many times better than what Kaw offers. Not cheap, but are completely serviceable.

bows08 · 09-10-2009

That just sucks!! Are you sure there is no way to get just the inner tie rod? That is a poor design if so. I am in the same boat. Mine got bent right before the "ball". I straightened in out but the metal is now cracking and think that it will break. Need to get it fixed ASAP.

RCW · 09-14-2009

What you are seeing with the non-replaceable rack ends is pretty common, even in the automotive business, anymore. Product liability and the lack of a high demand for the parts makes it too expensive to have rebuildable parts.

If you have a milling machine and do a bit of shopping in a front end and steering parts catalogue you can come up with a replacement that requires the end of the rack be milled of, then bored and threaded. Then the replacement part will bolt in, but has to be secured with red LocTite so it does not back out and end up a safety hazard.

The last time I priced the ends for a metric application they alone were over $300, so labor pretty much has to be free to make a fix work.

08-24-2009	#1 (permalink)
goat33 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1	610 mule bent tie rod Does anybody know were you can get aftermarket or used tie rod ends on a 610 mule? Mine is bent, dont wont to pay 600 for whole assembly.Its threaded on so it looks like you could replace just that piece. Tried unisteer but no luck or dont know how to order.

08-24-2009	#2 (permalink)
RCW Way Too Much Free Time BTK Expert Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Oregon, Chile, Alberta, Texas Posts: 1,482	The tie rod ends are available through Kawasaki, just check under the Frame section on their parts diagrams. The end that is press fitted with a socket one the end of the rack proper is not replaceable, and you are in for the whole rack from Kawasaki. Some of the steering rack rebuilders can replace it for you depending on if the housing is still sound. The cost with shipping two ways on the rebuilders is now close to what Kaw charges for the entire rack. If you have a steering rebuilder local to you, you may want to give them a call and see what they can do. If you have a good shop and are skilled, the aftermarket VW style racks made for the dune buggy and desert racer market can be fitted, and are many times better than what Kaw offers. Not cheap, but are completely serviceable. __________________ 2008 3010 Trans4X4 Diesel Mule 2008 JD XUV 850 Diesel 1979 XS650 Yamaha New DR-Z400S

09-14-2009	#4 (permalink)
RCW Way Too Much Free Time BTK Expert Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Oregon, Chile, Alberta, Texas Posts: 1,482	What you are seeing with the non-replaceable rack ends is pretty common, even in the automotive business, anymore. Product liability and the lack of a high demand for the parts makes it too expensive to have rebuildable parts. If you have a milling machine and do a bit of shopping in a front end and steering parts catalogue you can come up with a replacement that requires the end of the rack be milled of, then bored and threaded. Then the replacement part will bolt in, but has to be secured with red LocTite so it does not back out and end up a safety hazard. The last time I priced the ends for a metric application they alone were over $300, so labor pretty much has to be free to make a fix work. __________________ 2008 3010 Trans4X4 Diesel Mule 2008 JD XUV 850 Diesel 1979 XS650 Yamaha New DR-Z400S

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09-10-2009	#3 (permalink)
bows08 Newbie Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1	That just sucks!! Are you sure there is no way to get just the inner tie rod? That is a poor design if so. I am in the same boat. Mine got bent right before the "ball". I straightened in out but the metal is now cracking and think that it will break. Need to get it fixed ASAP.

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