it looks like I bent my tie rod last time I went wheelin. unfortunately it's right in front of the diff cover and when I turn left or right it touches the cover and cover is bent because of it.

can a stock tie rod be straightened? Yes, I understand it'd be better to buy a new stronger unit, but I don't have funds for that right now.

 

Short answer I don't know. But From an engineering standpoint, if you could, it would be much weaker and probably just bend right back again or break

 

It will be weaker. You can hook a tow strap to a tree and rotate the tie rod all the way back. Then reverse GENTLY to straighten.
If its only slightly bent just rotate it pushing the front of the tires slightly outward. Use a measuring tape to measure the front of the tires and the rear of the tires to square them up again. When you lock the tie rod down make sure the bend is placed where it won't hit anything. This might get you by while you aquire a new tie rod. Might also want to check with local Jeepers. They may have an OEM one laying around after they upgraded.
The tow strap method is a trail fix that I don't recommend. Its only to get to civilization and get a new tie rod.

 

Yes. If you do this, maybe see if you can find a shop to temper it again. I think it will still be weak, but better than not tempering it--ask the shop. I ran around with a bent drag link for a couple years. But I didn't need to bend it back. I finally replaced it with the Currie rod set.

 

Are you local in Calif? I still have my stocker if you like

 

Thanks, that what I was afraid of.


Thanks for offer, but I'm down in south OC.