DHD Tie Rod Sleeves Upgrade - Install Tips and Info

[HaveBlue]

How about the rest of the rod in the boot? The tie rod is pretty weak on the rivian for the weight. A spare is a great idea. These are about the same cost. I'd probably just buy a long piece of threaded rod connector for each side for a few bucks. They come in metric sizes. It's got to be at least M12.

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[Lmoore101]

No grease with mine and think were powder coated. Usually no grease needed on rod ends so that is interestIng.

Interesting, I'll use a little on the inside just to prevent rust.

 

[Lmoore101]

So an interesting development, the tie rod threads on my December 2023 build R1S (032xxx) are a larger diameter than the DHD sleeve threads. I even have two different sleeve sets due to a shipping issue and they both are too small.

It could be good news as perhaps the tie rods on newer builds are a larger diameter and by association stronger. Here are my tie rod measurements with a cheap caliper:
Thread- 16mm
Center Shaft- 13.1mm
Inboard near boot- 18.7mm


I emailed DHD today and will report back on what happens.

 

[twvette]

So an interesting development, the tie rod threads on my December 2023 build R1S (032xxx) are a larger diameter than the DHD sleeve threads. I even have two different sleeve sets due to a shipping issue and they both are too small.

It could be good news as perhaps the tie rods on newer builds are a larger diameter and by association stronger. Here are my tie rod measurements with a cheap caliper:
Thread- 16mm
Center Shaft- 13.1mm
Inboard near boot- 18.7mm


I emailed DHD today and will report back on what happens.

Maybe you got the ones they advertise as "PPE 158030200 TIE ROD SLEEVES POLISHED - GM/NAPA 2001-2010" on their site!? Those are polished and perhaps smaller as older vehicle.

However, I measured mine at the rod just past the threads where the sleeve ends (before it widens and is solid shaft) and getting 15.6mm and then getting 16.6mm where it widens before boot on some digital calipers. Hmmm, not really sure what to think now but is still suspicious yours are not black too.

 

[k3g]

I carry a spare tie-rod with me. IF I ever break one and have to do a trail replacement, I might consider this upgrade.

I carry a pair of inner tie rods (the half with the boot) in my truck, as I've now bent two of them. I ordered them through a local rivian-certified collision center. While there I chatted with the owner who also has an R1T and offroads it, so we got to talking details:

• Apparently if you do happen to kill a steering rack, rivian service manuals have you drop the front subframe + drive unit to replace it, which requires a 'drive unit alignment procedure', something his collision center bills at $2500
• The inner tie rod is a fuse. He repaired the trucks that the rivian team took on the rubicon trail, and told me some anecdotes from them about early proto vehicles doing the sideways shuffle that the quad motor causes, leading to even more destroyed steering racks, so they updated the tie rod thickness to try and fine-tune the amount of force it can take to protect the steering rack.

So an interesting development, the tie rod threads on my December 2023 build R1S (032xxx) are a larger diameter than the DHD sleeve threads. I even have two different sleeve sets due to a shipping issue and they both are too small.

It could be good news as perhaps the tie rods on newer builds are a larger diameter and by association stronger. Here are my tie rod measurements with a cheap caliper:
Thread- 16mm
Center Shaft- 13.1mm
Inboard near boot- 18.7mm


I emailed DHD today and will report back on what happens.

Rivian updated the tie rod size sometime in late 2022 or very early 2023. The above-mentioned collision center had to check my VIN to see which version of the tie rod I needed to order. Maybe DHD hasn't updated their design to account for this? I know they've been selling these sleeves for a bit...

 

[Lmoore101]

Thanks for the info and good to confirm the design change from early models. I spoke with DHD asked they update their site as newer Rivians seem to have a slightly larger diameter tie rods. They did not confirm if they will make an updated part.

I'm going to try and source the spare parts as cheap insurance.

Had a great time in Moab and no issues to report, other than a new low speed shudder sometimes when turning, will need to get that looked at!

 

[Dark-Fx]

other than a new low speed shudder sometimes when turning, will need to get that looked at!

Enjoy your new drive unit alignment

 

[twvette]

So I assume all those spreading FUD are now going to downgrade to the old thinner ones to have a better “fuse” to protect whatever they think they were protecting previously that was perfectly “engineered” originally hahaha

 

[Rexbo]

• The inner tie rod is a fuse. They updated the tie rod thickness to try and fine-tune the amount of force it can take to protect the steering rack.

Rivian updated the tie rod size sometime in late 2022 or very early 2023.

So my read here is that 2022 model R1T inner tie rods are weaker than necessary and they updated it in late 2023 to thicker as a result, to beef up strength. Seem correct?

I'm going to attempt the Rubicon in my R1T this October so I'll order a set of spares, but I have the sleeves also.

 

[k3g]

So my read here is that 2022 model R1T inner tie rods are weaker than necessary and they updated it in late 2023 to thicker as a result, to beef up strength. Seem correct?

I'm going to attempt the Rubicon in my R1T this October so I'll order a set of spares, but I have the sleeves also.

Bring more than one spare. Let us know how it goes, a rivian team took a T and S on it last year and their T didn't make it through. The S did.

I've taken my R1T to a rivian certified body shop, and the guy there told me his shop fixed the rubicon rivians after their attempt. I think they went through seven? Sounded absurd to me, but given how to quad motor likes to do the surprise side-shuffle, maybe not...

 

[Rexbo]

Bring more than one spare. Let us know how it goes, a rivian team took a T and S on it last year and their T didn't make it through. The S did.

I've taken my R1T to a rivian certified body shop, and the guy there told me his shop fixed the rubicon rivians after their attempt. I think they went through seven? Sounded absurd to me, but given how to quad motor likes to do the surprise side-shuffle, maybe not...

For sure... But I'm also not afraid of the big bad bypasses, and hopefully these DCE sliders are all they're cracked up to be!

 

[garrison]

I came across another tie rod reinforcement product. Originally designed for the 6th gen Bronco (hence the name Broncbuster) and they adapted the same concept for the Rivian. Over twice the price as the DHD sleeves so not sure if the value's there, but it may be a simpler install/uninstall.

https://broncbustertx.com/rivian-tie-rod-busterbrace-set

 

[Fozzy]

I got access to the service manual to get the torque specs to properly install the DHD sleeve.

Jam nut (DHD sleeve replaces this): 80Nm/59ft.lbs

Ball joint nut: 190Nm/140ft.lbs

 

[garrison]

I got access to the service manual to get the torque specs to properly install the DHD sleeve.

Jam nut (DHD sleeve replaces this): 80Nm/59ft.lbs

Ball joint nut: 190Nm/140ft.lbs

Is this service manual available to owners?

 

[Fozzy]

Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be. I asked at a service center after trying to contact rivian support and a certified body shop and neither could help. The service center was happy to show me the part of the manual I needed though. I do hope some day rivian opens access to the full manual.

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