Would anyone have experience with the Synergy SYN-8002-15 tie rod?

Threepointsix

JK Enthusiast
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So as my subject indicates, Im in need of a new tie rod. Ive developed a slight case of the wobbles only when a tire hits a low manhole or pothole. Tires are new and properly balanced. 63k miles. Everything checks out tight. Had a fantastic mechanic look it over. He's the "go to" for front end repair. Nothing is loose but he suggests I upgrade my tie rod, because he believes the stock one has been stressed and a new one is in order. Im in 3 inches of lift. Alignment is on point as is my toe and caster. So figured Id go heavy duty tie rod.

Would anyone have experience with the Synergy SYN-8002-15? I dont offroad my JK, so Im not looking for aluminum or top tier but the Synergy looks to be 'the one' that doesnt break the bank but is quality.

Thanks in advance.
 
I had mine replaced a couple months ago when the new tires went on and they attempted to align the front end. Turns out the rod wasn't straight- it had less than a 1/4" bend in it that was causing a couple issues, including a slight pull and the steering wheel not staying centered. Not to mention my front tires didn't wear evenly. I had a JKS installed. It was about $235 for the part.
 
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I had mine replaced a couple months ago when the new tires went on and they attempted to align the front end. Turns out the rod wasn't straight- it had less than a 1/4" bend in it that was causing a couple issues, including a slight pull and the steering wheel not staying centered. Not to mention my front tires didn't wear evenly. I had a JKS installed. It was about $235 for the part.
Thank you for chiming in. I had nothing but fantastic experiences with JKS products but I can't seem to locate a tie rod setup for the JK's. Only an upgraded drag link.
 
Thank you for chiming in. I had nothing but fantastic experiences with JKS products but I can't seem to locate a tie rod setup for the JK's. Only an upgraded drag link.
The shop I use is owned by a fellow vet who also owns a couple JKs and he had the one he installed for me in his shop. Not sure how long he had it. Let me see if there's a part number etched or stamped on it somewhere.
It's a J103702, but that doesn't match to any JKS part numbers I see in their catalog.
Hmmmm....
 
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I ordered a 1 ton aluminum tie rod from Barnes4x4. They had a Holiday discount and the reviews are stellar so I couldn't resist. Synergy seemed like a good choice too but at $400, not including the adaptor for my stabilizer shock, it was almost $500.

I like that the aluminum wont corrode. Where as the Synergy is coated. If it were chipped, Id have to recoat it. Or hit it with FF, which I plan on coating the aluminum one with anyway. But well.....$145 less is surely appealing. Will chime back when it's installed.

Thank you @Anybodyhome ✌️
 
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I ordered a 1 ton aluminum tie rod from Barnes4x4. They had a Holiday discount and the reviews are stellar so I couldn't resist. Synergy seemed like a good choice too but at $400, not including the adaptor for my stabilizer shock, it was almost $500.

I like that the aluminum wont corrode. Where as the Synergy is coated. If it were chipped, Id have to recoat it. Or hit it with FF, which I plan on coating the aluminum one with anyway. But well.....$145 less is surely appealing. Will chime back when it's installed.

Thank you @Anybodyhome ✌️

Ah sorry I came to the tie rod party late.

Steer Smarts makes a great tie rod setup as well. I went with their drag link and tie rod setup and both have been great.

The aluminum setup is better though. They will bend all over the place and pop right back straight and true, so you made a great choice there imho.

I've seen guys jack their rig up by their aluminum tie rod to see people's expressions for a laugh. :ROFLMAO:
 
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Ah sorry I came to the tie rod party late.

Steer Smarts makes a great tie rod setup as well. I went with their drag link and tie rod setup and both have been great.

The aluminum setup is better though. They will bend all over the place and pop right back straight and true, so you made a great choice there imho.

I've seen guys jack their rig up by their aluminum tie rod to see people's expressions for a laugh. :ROFLMAO:

👍 I saw that one too. Certainly a quality product and actually recommended by my mechanic. However, it was hard to pass up the Barnes Holiday pricing. And my thinking immediately goes to (God knows) that next I'll need a drag link, soon? So Im trying to keep a couple extra beans in my pocket.

Side note: since owning this Jeep, low miles and all, its one thing after the other. I still need to replace my HVAC controller and just the other day I got a code for an 02 sensor. 🤯
 
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My 2014 is approaching 100k miles and I've been very fortunate the only issue I've had was a stuck open t-stat.
 
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Barnes aluminum tie rod is installed. So far, can't complain. Honestly, the difference in firmness is not much from the OEM. Now its time to replace my track bar, because what I believe is on there is an imported after-market piece.

Going with either the 'new' HD Rancho adjustable (model: RS82115) or Synergy.....looks like the newer style Rancho is promising. Not too much out there on it (latter brand having a huge fanbase) but the product description on the website, warranty and Rancho's quality is not on the weak side.
 
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Barnes aluminum tie rod is installed. So far, can't complain. Honestly, the difference in firmness is not much from the OEM. Now its time to replace my track bar, because what I believe is on there is an imported after-market piece.

Going with either the 'new' HD Rancho adjustable (model: RS82115) or Synergy.....looks like the newer style Rancho is promising. Not too much out there on it (latter brand having a huge fanbase) but the product description on the website, warranty and Rancho's quality is not on the weak side.

Not sure about those two, most of the one's I've dealt with have been Teraflex or Street Smarts (assuming you don't need heims).

It's great to have a double adjustable one though, I can say that much (just loosen a collar on the track bar and spin to adjust it). Not having to remove one end of the track bar to adjust axle centering is the way to go. Puttin 125lb torque on those bolts isn't a lot of fun.
 
Not sure about those two, most of the one's I've dealt with have been Teraflex or Street Smarts (assuming you don't need heims).

It's great to have a double adjustable one though, I can say that much (just loosen a collar on the track bar and spin to adjust it). Not having to remove one end of the track bar to adjust axle centering is the way to go. Puttin 125lb torque on those bolts isn't a lot of fun.
Yah, my one reserve is that jam nuts. Steersmarts is great but Im not paying their premium to rebuild it when the time comes. And in NJ w the snow and salt, the time will come sooner than later.

Currently, I believe Ive got the Teraflex HD (least its really looks like it) but its a bit boogered up, corroded and looks like the bushing on the axle side has some movement. I attached a photo so maybe someone can confirm if that's what I've got.

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Yup looks like the Teraflex one to me.

Pretty sure the rebuild parts aren't too expensive for either the Teraflex or the Steer Smarts.

Just checked Teraflex and Steer Smarts websites and the replacement press in bushings are only like $30.
Yah, it's cheap for the Teraflex. I gotta confirm with them if it is in fact theirs. I'll give them a call and see if they can help.

Steersmarts parts aren't cheap. Their tie rod ends are $170 a piece, and a new adjuster sleeve is about $100. They dont seem to have replacement bushings for their track bars. But maybe its because they don't degrade? Just kidding....everything falls apart, eventually.
 
Yah, it's cheap for the Teraflex. I gotta confirm with them if it is in fact theirs. I'll give them a call and see if they can help.

Steersmarts parts aren't cheap. Their tie rod ends are $170 a piece, and a new adjuster sleeve is about $100. They dont seem to have replacement bushings for their track bars. But maybe its because they don't degrade? Just kidding....everything falls apart, eventually.

Yeah the ball joints for monster size tie rods aren't gonna be cheap.

For the track bar on the Steer Smarts all you need is the bushings. Looks like you even have two choices with the Yeti track bars.

You can get rubber ones or polyurethane ones.


 
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Same with the Teraflex. Might be worth it just to work that adjuster sleeve with some PB Blaster, coat that sucker in anti-seize, and buy some bushings instead of replacing it.
 
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@Vman jeesh, I looked on Steersmarts site and totally missed that! Now Im thinking I might just rock their lower priced TB since I can get bushings cheaper than the TF brand. When and if the time comes, that is.

Im going to replace the TF outright and sell it for $100 locally. I know people like that TB but I rather go bone new and start fresh.

Thanks for finding that SM info!
 
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