Steering Cross Tubes & Assemblies

Why do cross tubes need replacement?

Cross tubes will need to be replaced in situations where the tube is bent or no longer able to be securely connected to the tie rod ends. If a tie rod tube becomes bent the toe will be changed and it may no longer be possible to correctly align the truck. If the truck has tight clearances, a bent bar may strike other steering or suspension components as the steering wheel is turned. Damage to the threads may prevent the tube and the tie rod ends form having a secure connection causing a dangerous situation.

• Impact damage – Since the tie rod cross tube crosses the width of the vehicle it can be susceptible to impact damage from road debris. Also, if the vehicle is used off-road, the tie rod bar can become jammed against the ground or protruding rocks when crossing fields of job sites.
• Towing – In some cases, when a vehicle is towed, an inexperienced recovery driver may connect chains to the tie rod bar to pull the vehicle or use the cross tube as a tie-down point when securing the vehicle. The cross tube is not designed for this and it will bend.
• Thread Damage – Thread damage can occur when changing tie rod ends on an assembly that had been undisturbed for a long period of time. Original assemblies may have been built using no anti-seize compound and they may be stuck together by corrosion. Despite a great effort it may not always be possible to preserve a tie rod tube when changing tie rod ends.
• Corrosion – Corrosion can slowly deteriorate a tie rod cross tube and weaken it. If the structural integrity on a cross tube is questionable it should be replaced.