live axle 100 series bent relay rod, make it stronger??

[crunk81us]

Went to Old Coach Road at nanango on the w/e, had some fun, put a few new dints and scrapes on my 100, not worried about them though.
I managed to turn my relay rod into a huge upside down smile :( It bent so much that it put a ding in my sump!
I didn't even hit anything, there are no marks on it, or do anything super spectacular, it could only have happened from sideways force on one of the front wheels.
I don't know if there was a slight bend in it already, making it weak.
We managed to pull it straight enough to drive a couple more tracks (very carefully) before going home.

I have bought a nice straight 2nd hand one, and am wondering if I should strengthen it?
Am thinking a simple sleeve over the tube would be fine..

Any problems doing this?

I tried searching for strengthening the oe part but only found expensive upgraded new parts..

[80's_delirious]

if you sleeve it it would need to be done with something of decent thickness and strength ie 4130
or have one made up in solid 4130, I had one made for my 80series, cost me $80 for the steel and threads tapped in each end ready for rod ends

[crunk81us]

have you broken any other steering bits since strengthening the rod?

[80's_delirious]

Hmm, was going to say no, but I have twisted two steering box sector shafts since it was fitted. Is it related? I dont know.

[crunk81us]

is that the splined shaft that comes out the bottom of the steering box?

[80's_delirious]

yep