When people talk about building a drift car or a race car, they focus on big parts — angle kits, coilovers, engines. But few components are as critical (or as overlooked) as your inner tie rods. They’re small, but they’re the connection between your steering input and what your wheels actually do.
What Are Inner Tie Rods?
Inner tie rods are the link between your steering rack and outer tie rods. When you turn the wheel, the rack pushes or pulls the inner tie rod, which rotates the knuckle and turns the wheels. They’re a key part of the system that defines:
- Steering angle
- Toe alignment
- On-center steering feel
Why Factory Tie Rods Aren’t Enough
OEM inner tie rods are built for street driving — not drifting, track abuse, or big steering angle. The problems start once you upgrade your suspension:
- Bent rods: Factory parts aren’t designed for extreme angle or quick transitions
- Thread wear: Soft metal wears quickly under repeated alignment adjustments
- Lack of adjustability: Limited range makes it hard to set correct toe with modified suspension
SLR Inner Tie Rods: Built for Abuse
Our inner tie rods are the strongest on the market — engineered for drifting, time attack, and serious motorsport use. Available for BMW, Corvette, 370Z, Porsche, and more.
What makes them different:
- Heavy-duty chromoly construction
- Longer threads for more adjustment range
- Heat-treated for maximum strength
- Built to match SLR angle kits and outer arms
Drifting with Confidence
In drifting, steering response is everything. A weak inner tie rod introduces play, inconsistency, and failure risk — especially on hard transitions or entries. That’s why drivers running SLR kits trust our inner tie rods to take the abuse.
How to Know If Yours Are Failing
- Sloppy steering with dead zones
- Clunking when turning or hitting bumps
- Visible thread damage or bending
If you see these signs — it’s time to upgrade.
Browse our full lineup of inner tie rods for nearly every major drift platform. If you don’t see your car, contact us — we likely make it or can build one with no extra charge.
