850 TRW tie rod ends; anybody with experience?

Post by **JimBee** » 22 Dec 2016, 10:01

FCP sells the TRW brand (now on sale through Jan 29). I've looked at the various comparably priced brands of outer 850 tie rod ends at local auto supplies and one signficant difference I've noticed is the local brands don't have a cinch ring around the boot on the ball end stud. I assume this means the ball itself is not greased, probably just neoprene. They are really tight, I couldn't move the ball joint with my medium strong hand, are they all made that way?

An MVS tutorial on replacing the tie rod ends shows the one being installed with a zerk grease fitting, which is how I remember the earlier vintage ones that never seemed to wear out if you kept them greased. All that i've looked at online don't have that. Have I missed something?

I looked into where TRW is made. The company was bought by a German company ZF ...in 2015, which has manufacturing plants, of course, elsewhere around the planet.

Apparently, their chassis parts are made in Malaysia (which the FCP site indicates). Those manufacturing plants apparently are well established (since 1999?) and are quite diverse, including suppliers of some electronic parts for vehicles and the aero space industry.

Here's some more information:
http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releas ... 38985.html

Brands that others have used? Ratings based on personal experience?

Post by **misha** » 22 Dec 2016, 10:18

Never had an opportunity to use them,but if they make OEM steering racks for our cars they can't be bad.

Trw was Lucas before and they are pretty reputable and have quality oem and aftermarket parts.Lucas/trw brake pads are excellent quality and they are pretty durable.

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 22 Dec 2016, 11:47

I used them on erikv11's suggestion and they felt robust but it was only months ago
that I did them.

Post by **xHeart** » 22 Dec 2016, 12:52

During the suspension & steering overhaul on our 1997 850, the tie rod (inner and outer), steering rack, and control arms were TRW. Now 40,000 + miles later, it was a good choice.

TRW is OE for these replacement parts!

Post by **erikv11** » 22 Dec 2016, 13:08

After one stupid purchase of $15 tie rods that both crapped out within a year, TRW is the only brand I use for tie rods. I have bought several, like maybe five, and some were a while ago. When I got a rack rebuilt at Jorgen auto, I took off their generic tie rods and put on four TRWs. Anyway, so far none of the swaps have needed replacing again.

Post by **chrafael** » 22 Dec 2016, 14:56

TRW control arms about two years old doing fine.

Post by **abscate** » 22 Dec 2016, 15:07

TRWs tie rod ends outervon the 1999

4 years, no issues, nice tight suspension

Post by **scot850** » 22 Dec 2016, 23:08

I had an interesting correspondence with Jason at FCP Euro regarding the long term 'No ETA' on the 4-bolt Lemforder front control arms. This is a part of his reply but may be relevant in this discussion:

Thanks for your inquiry and welcome to FCP EURO.

Unfortunately we're still unable to get these Lemforder control arms.

We reached out to ZF which is the parent brand to Lemforder and we were unable to get a straight answer on an ETA.

I've rebranded the kit to TRW which is now also owned and operated by Lemforders parent brand, ZF.

We're starting to see a lot of Lemforder components getting discontinued and rebranded to TRW.

Looks like I may have to try the TRW lower front control arms on the 'R'.

Neil.

Post by **JimBee** » 23 Dec 2016, 05:37

All positive testimonials, looks like a green light for TRW.

Post by **shiloh51933** » 23 Dec 2016, 06:14

I used them on my wife's 04 XC70, maybe 1 1/2 years ago...so far so good.