PPE 158032511 Forged XR Tie Rod Kit (2011-2026 6.6L Duramax)

Fitment

Listed for 2011-2026 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD/3500HD and GMC Sierra 2500HD/3500HD trucks with the 6.6L Duramax, covering the LML (2011-2016) and the L5P (2017 and newer).

One caution before you order. GM redesigned these trucks for 2020, and steering linkage for 2011-2019 trucks and for 2020-and-newer trucks is normally cataloged as separate fitments. This kit is listed for both, so verify fitment by VIN or call us with your year, cab and drivetrain before you buy, especially on a 2020 or newer truck.

Why this part

Steering wander and a dead zone at the wheel are commonly reported on 2011-2019 HD trucks, and the front end has more than one wear point. Idler and pitman arm play is a known high-mileage item. On 2020-and-newer trucks, that play lets the center link move, which shows up as wander and uneven tire wear, especially on larger tires. When the steering gear itself is worn, a replacement gear is what cures the wander. Tie rods are the last link to the knuckles, and the stock ones ride on plastic ball-joint seats that wear out.

PPE's Forged XR tie rods replace them with extreme-duty forged steel. The outer tie rod uses a 32mm ball stud, 35% larger than stock, with an extra-wide ball joint neck for a stronger, more stable connection, while keeping the stock articulation angle. A 3/4-inch threaded inner tie rod shaft gives a secure connection between the inner and the outer, and it is surrounded by a 1.6-inch forged outer body, 50% larger than stock, that keeps the assembly from bending or deforming. The joints use siliconized rubber boots, and integrated grease fittings let you grease them at service time.

That combination is why PPE builds them for extreme-duty work such as intense off-roading and sled pulling, and why they also make sense as a plain replacement when your stock tie rods are worn out. When a truck comes into our shop wandering, we check the whole linkage and the gear before replacing parts; tie rods are one piece of the job.

What you get

• PPE Forged XR inner and outer tie rods, part number 158032511
• Siliconized rubber boots
• Integrated grease fittings, with the zerk in the outer tie rod cap
• Pre-greased from PPE

Specifications

PPE's feature list:

• Extreme-duty forged steel
• Siliconized rubber boots
• Preserves factory articulation angle
• 35% larger, 32-mm ball stud
• 1.6’’ forged outer tie rod body – 50% larger than stock
• 3/4’’ inner tie rod threaded shaft
• Integrated grease fittings

Installation notes

Each tie rod comes pre-greased and does not require greasing for installation. A zerk fitting is built into the outer tie rod cap for greasing after that. If you are building a custom steering setup, the outer tie rod can be trimmed off by up to 1 inch for a shorter overall length. Plan on a front-end alignment once the tie rods are in; that is standard practice after any tie-rod replacement.

About PPE

PPE (Pacific Performance Engineering) was founded in 1985 and is based in North Las Vegas, Nevada. It built its name on 6.6L Duramax parts, and its steering and hardware line, forged tie rods for GM trucks and head stud kits, comes out of that work. PPE has since expanded into Ram Cummins and Ford Power Stroke parts.

Frequently asked questions

Will new tie rods fix my truck's wander?

If your stock tie rods are worn, new ones take that play out. Wander on these trucks also comes from idler and pitman arm play and from a worn steering gear, so we check the whole front end first. On a 2024 truck with a steering complaint, check recall 23V-549 by VIN before anything else: on 2024 Silverado and Sierra 2500/3500 trucks the steering gear shaft may fracture and disconnect from the steering arm, and the dealer inspection and gear replacement is free.

Do they help on a leveled truck?

They are built for hard use and keep the factory articulation angle. What they do not do is change tie-rod angle. Leveling increases tie-rod angle, and bump steer after a level is a commonly reported complaint, so stronger tie rods on their own are not a bump-steer fix. If your custom setup needs a shorter tie rod, the outer can be trimmed by up to 1 inch.

Do I need to grease them before installing?

No. Each tie rod comes pre-greased from PPE and does not need greasing for installation. Use the zerk fitting in the outer tie rod cap to grease them during regular service.

Questions on fitment? Call the shop at the number in the header. We install everything we sell.