Just got done washing my bike and noticed my left front tie rod is shaped like a banana.Is this common?Can I straighten it or will it just bend again or break?I think I know when it happened,I was trying to drive around a stump and,well,you can guess what happened.

 

It is most definately not supposed to be shaped like a banana. Unfortunately once metal has bent and bent back it will never have the same strength that it originally had and will only bend easier the next time. I would most definately replace it without question. You may try to straighten it this time but the next time it bends it will only be weaker and may just break. Shift linkage is one thing but tie rods hold your wheel straight and a not so straight wheel when it's supposed to be is very dangerous. Plus, there not that much money to replace.

Rich.

 

For the money just change it, Wookie is right the structural integrity of the tie rod end has been compromised .
Unless your a dare devil and don't mind possibly taking a nose dive over the bars or taking on a tree head on .
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Change it dude, its no biggie. I bent one on my 99 AC500, and I think the rod cost like $13 total. I used the old tie rod ends. Just measured off the distance to thread it on the old one, and changed it out. Bingo.

 

Got one on the way,22 bucks Cdn.Not worth the hastle.

Thanks guys.