Well, well, well.... Would ya look at this?

[tysongladiator]

Interesting view of those components that most don’t get to see or understand why DW happens and how it goes downhill from there once one thing goes. I went Synergy on my tie rod, drag link, and ball joints on my 08 when I had a similar issue and it was solid until I sold it at 198k miles. Good luck sorting it out at least you know where to start. Look forward to updates.

Yes. That was part of the reason for my post. I wanted to see what was going on myself but I thought it would be interesting for everyone else to see.

I posted a video last week about excessive movement in the tie rod. I contacted Apex and they said the stabilizer was improperly mounted and they aske about track bar movement. Well... I adjusted the stabilizer and strategically placed the cameras and here we are.

I took a chance on them even after most were suggesting RPM. It's ok. I don't get upset at situations that I initiated. And you're correct, at least I know where to start.

And 198k from a steering setup is impressive.

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[tysongladiator]

Apex sez the ends have a life time warranty....


Apex Honor System Warranty– If you absolutely beat the crap out of things to the point that it should not have reasonably survived and our product outlived anything you had previously run, then give us a high five and order another one!!

If you feel we underperformed and your part should be warrantied, please make your warranty claim here and we will happily send you the replacement part.

Let’s make this easy: You may not need to send your parts back to us if you have provided adequate photo or video evidence in the warranty claim form.

If you are a total bad ass and not requesting warranty but would like to help us to continue to design the most extreme products on the market, then please upload photos and a description of your issue here at APEX Feedback and we will send you some Apex swag and a 10% discount code for future purchases.

The Not So Fine Print:

Your Apex Product must be purchased directly or through one of our authorized dealers in order for the Apex Warranty to apply.

You must register your product, with proof of purchase, within 90 days of purchasing here: Warranty Registration Form.

Products not registered will not be covered past 90 days from the date of purchase.

APEX will, at its sole discretion, refund the original purchase price or replace free of charge any APEX steering or suspension component for manufacturer defects, premature wear, or breakage for the life of the vehicle, as long as the original purchaser of the component owns the vehicle.

This warranty is limited only to the replacement of defective parts and ground shipping, it does not include labor for removal or replacement of the parts or any other direct or indirect expense.

This warranty is void if the components are, at Apex’s sole discretion, improperly installed, modified, or used in an application for which the component was not designed.

Warranty does not cover cosmetic imperfections, boots, bushings, or Heim style joints. These are regular wear items.

This warranty statement is governed by the laws of the State of Arizona.

No other warranty, either expressed or implied, shall apply.

You are always welcome to call with questions at 480-470-5500 or email us at [email protected]

I actually registered within a week of receiving the parts. I already made the claim. They claim form gives you an option of 50%, 75%, or 100%. I checked 75%. Even though I only have 30k since install of the steering assembly, I have made a few wheeling trips and I figured they wouldn't 100% replace the parts or do anything if I checked 100%. So, I'm just waiting on a response from Apex.

 

[Vtur]

Only 30K

Mine Apex TREs with around same mileage are still tight. Were the anti flop equal on both sides when torque down the jam nuts?

 

[tysongladiator]

Mine Apex TREs with around same mileage are still tight. Were the anti flop equal on both sides when torque down the jam nuts?

Yes. You could actually move the tie rod up and down with one finger.

 

[bd100]

Looks like the mounting bracket for the drag link is flexing, too. Good example for why they make reinforcement braces.

 

[SamO.5]

You forgot baling wire!!!

Naa, that is for more permanent installations.

 

[tysongladiator]

So. I put a stock track bar back on the Jeep until I see what Apex is going to do. Night and day difference while driving.

 

[Neomonk21]

So. I put a stock track bar back on the Jeep until I see what Apex is going to do. Night and day difference while driving.

That's interesting! My stock track bar has a slight amount of movement in it so I'm keeping an eye on it. Your stock one seems pretty solid.

Also, thank you for taking the time to record and post these videos. It really does a great job of showing these kinds of issues.

 

[VA6489]

@tysongladiator Steel Tie rod? I am betting the tube wall thickness is too thin. Had that issue on a ECGS front axle they used a 0.120 wall tube that flexed terribly. Also what is causing the vibration? Tires? Wheels? Alignment? Something is starting the oscillation.

I have gone away from Steel in my steering systems on the last several Jeeps in favor of 7071 Aluminum 1.75 or 2.0 inch tie rods and Drag links. Never had an issue after that.

Note I run 7-8 degrees of caster on my rigs.

 

[tysongladiator]

That's interesting! My stock track bar has a slight amount of movement in it so I'm keeping an eye on it. Your stock one seems pretty solid.

Also, thank you for taking the time to record and post these videos. It really does a great job of showing these kinds of issues.

Ride that stock track bar, tie rod, and drag link till the wheels fall off. Lol. My stock track bar made it 170k miles. And that's 170k miles towing, hauling, daily driving, and beating the crap out of it rockcrawling. When I upgraded my stock equipment, all of it was still functioning good. But I was worried about what might happen on the trails, so I decided to upgrade. Well..... here we are 30k miles later with aftermarket equipment and having an issue. You're doing the right thing. Just keep and eye on it and check it regularly.

It's really not a problem posting the videos. My youtube channel is really to help people. That's why if you watch my videos, I never ask for likes and subscribes. I feel like if someone wants to, they'll subscribe to it. If not, they won't. If they do, that's great & I'm happy. If not, I'm not upset. I spend the time editing videos to help. I show stuff that I'm working on, wheeling trips, and other random stuff. Just out here trying to changeyalife.

I should have the full video of the entire replacement soon.

Thanks... I appreciate ya.

 

[MPMB]

"We identified your issue:"

 

[tysongladiator]

@tysongladiator Steel Tie rod? I am betting the tube wall thickness is too thin. Had that issue on a ECGS front axle they used a 0.120 wall tube that flexed terribly. Also what is causing the vibration? Tires? Wheels? Alignment? Something is starting the oscillation.

I have gone away from Steel in my steering systems on the last several Jeeps in favor of 7071 Aluminum 1.75 or 2.0 inch tie rods and Drag links. Never had an issue after that.

Note I run 7-8 degrees of caster on my rigs.

The stock tie rod is steel, but the aftermarket tie rod is aluminum. I never had an issue with the stock steel tie rod, It's the aftermarket tie rod with the issues. More so the tie rod ends. The ends are steel though. But... the Apex tie rod and drag link assembly are aluminum.

As far as the vibration, I ruled out a few things. Although I recently had 40s put on, the issued started when I had the 37s. And I still have the same rims. So, it's not the wheels and tires. The alignment could be off. That's a possibility. I drove it after putting the stock tie rod back on and it's a little smoother. Even though there's not a noticeable issue with the track bar, I have a new one that I've been holding on to, sitting in my shed. Just waiting to put it on. My JKS was used when I bought it. And I plan on taking a look at the drag link when I replace the track bar. If the links for the drag link are just as bad as the tie rod, well....... But... I haven't completely ruled out an alignment.

I have about 6 degrees of caster right now. The issue started about a month ago. Right about the time when I noticed a noise on the front suspension, and then noticed the more than normal movement within the tierod.

I'm still inspection though. Thank you for the comment. I appreciate it.

 

[VA6489]

@tysongladiator
I blew up the video. The rod ends are wearing out. Shouldn't have that level of movement. But this bring s me back to what is causing the vibration.

 

[rharr]

Ride that stock track bar, tie rod, and drag link till the wheels fall off. Lol. My stock track bar made it 170k miles. And that's 170k miles towing, hauling, daily driving, and beating the crap out of it rockcrawling. When I upgraded my stock equipment, all of it was still functioning good. But I was worried about what might happen on the trails, so I decided to upgrade. Well..... here we are 30k miles later with aftermarket equipment and having an issue. You're doing the right thing. Just keep and eye on it and check it regularly.

It's really not a problem posting the videos. My youtube channel is really to help people. That's why if you watch my videos, I never ask for likes and subscribes. I feel like if someone wants to, they'll subscribe to it. If not, they won't. If they do, that's great & I'm happy. If not, I'm not upset. I spend the time editing videos to help. I show stuff that I'm working on, wheeling trips, and other random stuff. Just out here trying to changeyalife.

I should have the full video of the entire replacement soon.

Thanks... I appreciate ya.

Did you ever look at the back of the Apex ends and see if there is any branding or identification info stamped/etched by the grease zerk? Could you and report back? I would like to be aware of bad parts billed as good parts.

 

[tysongladiator]

Did you ever look at the back of the Apex ends and see if there is any branding or identification info stamped/etched by the grease zerk? Could you and report back? I would like to be aware of bad parts billed as good parts.

Sorry it took so long to reply!!! But I didn't see anything on them. Crazy that you asked that because when you fill out the warranty claim form, you have to search for and enter a batch number. But I didn't see anything on them.

I can tell you that a local shop here that works on Jeeps and offroad vehicles and do a lot of custom fab work has said that they refuse to sell Apex. They said that they have had customers buy Apex equipment and been bad out of the box and some customers reporting back with issues after Apex equipment install.

Also.... I submitted an original claim for with them back on Dec 30. This is the reply that I got about a week later: Sorry for the delay in responding. I was out of town over the holidays. Thanks for sending the video. That movement in the tie rod looks unique. Can you confirm that the Jam Nuts are torqued to 150 – 200 ft lbs? Do you have a shop that can check things over? Is there any chance that there is an issue with the steering stabilizer? Not sure what is causing the movement in the tie rod? It should be steady.

This was my response: Yes. Everything was torques properly. No issues with the stabilizer as I removed it and the issue still existed. I have now re-installed a stock tie rod. And I sent them a new video and I haven't heard from them.

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