The PPE tie-rod sleeves are...
The PPE tie-rod sleeves are machined out of stainless steel.
We have all done it: Pulled into that parking space a little too far or hit that rock a little harder than we wanted, and the steering alignment on your truck is gone. The steering links on the average diesel pickup are not very thick, and with a couple of tons of truck behind them, they can be bent rather easily. All it takes is a slight bend to make a truck handle oddly, and not track straight no matter how many times the truck is aligned. This problem is especially common when huge-diameter wheels and tires are factored into the mix.
Thankfully, this potential bend in the road can be easily averted with the addition of a Pacific Performance Engineering (PPE) tie-rod sleeve. Made from stainless steel, the PPE sleeve simply slips over the link and takes the place of the stock jam nut. Due to its length, the PPE tie-rod sleeve gives the steering link much greater strength and rigidity. Because it is made from stainless steel, there isn't any chance that the sleeve will become rusted to the steering link, thus ensuring that future alignment jobs are hassle-free.
And the best part is, gaining this strength is as easy as spinning the sleeve into place. This job really is a one-hour install. Simply place the front of the truck on jackstands (the front wheels need to be free to turn), spin off the link, add the PPE sleeve, spin the link back onto the tie-rod end, and tighten the sleeve in place. With a little mark placed on the steering link to determine location, there is no need to re-align the front end.
So, get your truck on the straight and narrow with PPE.
 Improving the strength of...  Improving the strength of your diesel's steering components is as easy as installing PPE tie-rod sleeves. |  As big as a diesel is, the...  As big as a diesel is, the stock steering/tie-rod links are spindly to say the least. A hit on a parking lot chock, let alone a big rock, may cause them to bend, thus throwing the truck out of alignment. |
 Here is a trick to avoid having...  Here is a trick to avoid having to re-align the vehicle after the install. Hold the sleeve up to the link and mark where the end of the sleeve will come. Just remember to cover the jam nut as well. |  Rather than removing the tie-rod...  Rather than removing the tie-rod end from the spindle, simply loosen the jam nut (arrow) and unscrew the link using an open-end wrench. There is a stamped area on the link that accepts the wrench. |
 With the link out of the tie-rod...  With the link out of the tie-rod end, remove the jam nut. |  Installing the PPE tie-rod...  Installing the PPE tie-rod sleeve couldn't be easier: simply screw it onto the link. Note that the threads don't go all the way through the sleeve, so place the non-threaded end on first as the threaded end needs to go against the tie-rod end. |
 Run the sleeve down until...  Run the sleeve down until the end aligns with the marks made earlier and then give it another quarter turn or so. The quarter turn will be taken up when the unit is "jammed" against the tie-rod end. |  Here is where patience is...  Here is where patience is needed. Since the link's stamped area is now beneath the sleeve, a pair of Channellocks is used to thread the link back onto the tie-rod end. |
 An open-ended wrench is used...  An open-ended wrench is used to tighten the sleeve up against the tie-rod end. Here is where that extra quarter turn will be taken up. |  And there you have it. The...  And there you have it. The PPE tie-rod sleeve will add much needed strength to the steering link, and since it is made from stainless steel, it won't fuse itself to the link arm due to water or mud. |