So in case you missed my other post I bent my tie rod rock crawling at Rausch Creek last weekend. I ordered a new tie rod from Big Daddy's Offroad that is bigger and supposedly 4x stronger than stock. Here's how the install went.
I decided to go ahead and buy new tie rod ends for the new tie rod (it uses factory rod ends) since a) the stock rod ends have almost 50k miles on them and b) I wouldn't mind having spares, just in case. This in itself is confusing because of the way they have the descriptions of which rod end is which in the computer at Auto Zone. It doesn't help that a couple manufacturers even have the wrong info. Here are the correct part numbers in case anybody is wondering. These part numbers are used by Moog and other manufacturers use the same number:
Tie rod end LH (Drivers) Outer - connects tie rod to Drivers side steering knuckle - ES3094L. Note that some manufacturers (Driveworks) incorrectly show this part number as connecting to the steering tie rod (i.e. connects the tie rod to the drag link), but this part number is actually the rod end that connects the tie rod to the driver's steering knuckle.
Tie rod end Passenger RH (inner) - connects tie rod to drag link - ES3095R
Tie rod end Passenger (inner) - connects drag link to pitman arm -ES3096L
The other part number is the whole drag link with the rod end built into it.
Ok, now that we have that cleared up and we have the right rod ends, start by applying anti-seize to the threads on the rod ends. Thread the lock nuts onto the rod ends and then thread the rod ends onto the new tie rod.