Aftermarket cross tube

So I'm trying to finish up the tie rods on my truck.

The threads inside the tube are too bad on the one that I have so I need to get another tube.

I have a supplier that says he can get me an auto Mann cross tube. Does anyone have experience with auto Mann?

What problems can happen from using an after-market cross tube rather than genuine Meritor?

The aftermarket is 129 and I can have that in about a day or so. Genuine Meritor is around 266, but I have to wait almost two weeks for it.

I do have genuine Meritor tie rod ends.

 

I guess that's how you learn sometimes, LOL.

Actually I did look around for the cross tube assembly originally before I even bought the ends. I did not exhaust all the options of looking, but the places I looked were all 4 and $500 for the assembly. I just figured that for my truck that's where it was going to be.

If I could have found 169 out the door I would have jumped on that.

 

I like stemco products. I like the idea of their pinion seals that you don't need a wear ring.

Amazon has that cross tube assembly for $215 delivered. Wish I would have known.

I don't think Freightliner will take back the tie rod ends because I opened them. I will talk to them tomorrow.

Live and learn.

 

The funny thing is that I do like to save money if I can but this in particular wasn't necessarily about saving money.

It might sound silly, but I didn't really understand why the cross tube would have to be replaced unless it was bent or damaged. I have found that any repair that I have not done before, like this one, I have to actually do it to really understand everything involved. And it takes me more time the first time.

Now that my truck is just about ready for the road, I can certainly see why spending an extra hundred dollars or more is worth it if it will save time and aggravation.

Whether that means buying the complete part, or buying the right tool, spending a little more to save time is a good investment.