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hi all, where do you guys get the cup washer that goes under the spring on the tie rod ends? everybody i deal with says theyr'e not available....looks like it should be a plumbing thing or something! thanks,....frank

There are various makers of polyurethane tie rod end boots that can help seal the tie rod ends. You could discard the metal cap and spring if they are broken or worn out. One source is Tellico but there may be others as well (no specific endorsement is intended). Look at:
http://www.tellico4x4.com/product_info. ... 9994608c1f

Hello,

I have gotten the big cupped metal washers and springs from both Mullens and Debella.
The last time I purchased them was about 2 years ago.

Tom

Are the metal cup washers the correct part for this?

I bought my tie rod ends from Archer and at the same time order rubber boots and springs because I did not know about the metal cup washers. Anyhow the rubber boots I received were crap. They split shortly after being installed with the springs.

The factory original tie rod ends were installed with spring and cup washers acting as the seals. Replacement tie rods had/have the rubber boots and no spring.
Do not try to use the springs with rubber boots.

You can often use the spring and cup washers on new tie rods (that were supplied with rubber boots) but I have seen new rod ends that have slightly different construction than the originals. In some cases the metal washer doesn't fully cover the opening of the of the new rod so the sealing effect isn't the greatest for keepng sand and scuz out.

If you aren't going after the factory look for your restoration, the rubber seals seem to be capable of doing a better job of shedding water and grit.

But then again, through proper maintenance many of these tie rods with the cup washers have lasted half a century.

Tom