Radius Rods and Tie Rods

Stock radius rods and tie rods work well enough for an unmodified rig, but they're often the weakest links in suspension and steering systems, bending from rock impacts, wearing out from heavy use, or simply being inadequate for the loads that larger tires and aggressive riding create. Side by Side Source carries a comprehensive selection of heavy-duty radius rods and upgraded tie rod systems that eliminate these weak points, from adjustable radius rods with Heim joints that provide perfect articulation to beefy tie rod kits that resist bending and wear under demanding use.

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Buyer's Guide for UTV Radius Rods and Tie Rods: Helping You Shop!

Understanding the Difference: Side-by-Side Radius Rods vs. Tie Rods

These components serve different functions and are found in different systems, though both are critical suspension/steering links. Radius rods (also called trailing links or longitudinal links) control fore-aft wheel movement in the suspension system. They're typically part of the rear suspension on many UTVs, connecting the differential or rear hubs to the frame. They resist braking and acceleration forces while allowing vertical wheel movement. Some machines use them in front suspension too, though A-arm designs are more common up front.

Tie rods are steering components that connect your steering rack to wheel spindles, translating rack movement into wheel steering. They're always in the front (steering) system. They experience lateral forces during turns, plus impacts from wheels hitting obstacles. The loads are different from radius rods—more lateral/twisting forces versus fore-aft compression/tension.

Understanding what you need prevents buying wthe rong components. If you're experiencing steering issues (play, bending, uneven tire wear), you need tie rods. If you're having rear suspension problems (binding, flex, handling imprecision under acceleration/braking), you need radius rods.

Adjustable UTV Radius Rod Heim Joint Components vs. Fixed Bushed Designs

A key choice when upgrading radius rods or tie rods is whether to use adjustable Heim joint designs or fixed-length bushed components. Heim joints (also called rod ends or spherical bearings) are precision ball joints that articulate perfectly through any angle without binding. These take out the binding issue often associated with rubber bushings for smooth and precise steering.

One of the major advantages of running a Heim includes way better articulation and the adjustability factor. However, you are in for a slightly bumpier ride, as well as regular maintenance.

Bushed components are a really solid choice for street-focused machines and anyone who wants to keep comfort as a top priority. Heavy-duty bushed components will still outdo stock on durability, but if you’re going for race or performance, Heim is the way to go.

High-Clearance and Z-Bend UTV Radius Rod Designs

Beyond just being stronger, upgraded radius rods and tie rods often incorporate design improvements addressing clearance issues. High-clearance radius rods route components higher or more inboard, reducing rock hang-ups that occur when low-hanging rods contact obstacles. This matters tremendously for rock crawling and technical terrain, where hang-ups are constant. The trade-off is sometimes reduced strength (less material in optimal structural locations) or interference with other components.

Z-bend tie rods address specific clearance issues on certain machines where stock tie rod routing creates interference with suspension travel, larger tires, or lift kits. The "Z" shape routes the rod around obstacles while maintaining proper function. Clearance gains of even 1-2 inches can be substantial in preventing hang-ups during suspension articulation or when traversing uneven terrain.

Strength compromises sometimes accompany clearance improvements. Complex bends or routing can create stress risers or reduce overall strength compared to straight designs. Quality manufacturers engineer around these issues, but cheap high-clearance rods might be weaker than straight designs. Verify that clearance-focused components still have adequate strength ratings for your application.

3 Top Selling Radius Rod and Tie Rod Brands

SuperATV manufactures comprehensive suspension and steering link upgrades including Z-bend tie rods and heavy-duty radius rods for popular models.
L&W Fabrication produces adjustable Heim-jointed components proven in racing and serious off-road applications.
S3 Power Sports offers high-clearance billet components engineered for extreme builds requiring both strength and clearance.

5 Top Selling Radius Rod and Tie Rod Products

Fine-tune your RZR 1000/Turbo suspension with these 1" Heim Adjustable Radius Rods by L&W Fab, providing precision adjustment and zero-bind articulation.
Add clearance without sacrificing strength using these RZR High-Clearance Billet Aluminum Radius Rods by S3 Power Sports, featuring CNC-machined construction.
Handle larger tires on your Ranger 1500 XD with these Heavy-Duty Tie Rods by ThumperFab, designed for stock forward control arm configurations.
Upgrade Can-Am Commander steering with this Performance Series Tie Rod Kit by Turnkey UTV, addressing known weak points with quality components throughout.
Solve Kawasaki Teryx clearance issues with this Z-Bend Tie Rod Kit by SuperATV, providing improved clearance while maintaining strength.

UTV Radius Rod and Tie Rod Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I inspect radius rods?

It varies according to certain factors, but the rule of thumb is to check every twenty-five to fifty hours of riding. If you take a really hard knock, of course, just give them a once-over after.

Can I run aftermarket and stock rods at the same time?

You can, but this may create handling issues as one side is stronger than the other.

Will these adjustable rods need to be adjusted all the time?

Quality adjustable components with proper jam nuts and thread locker stay adjusted indefinitely once set correctly. The key is proper installation.