Tie rods/ball joints?

[MiserableOldFart]

I'm having a problem with replacement tie rods/ball joints for the steering in my C-125 tractor, and I'm wondering if anyone else is experiencing the same.. The originals lasted about 20 years or so under heavy use. Since I purchased a bigger tractor to do most of the work around here, the garden tractor gets much lighter use, but the Stens replacement ball joints keep failing. They aren't cheap at $26 a piece and I'm getting maybe 20? hours of service out of them. It's getting to be pretty annoying and would appreciate any suggestions as to the cause.

I have aligned the tires, replaced bearings, and one of the wheel spindles that was bad, but the joints keep popping out on me..

 

[Giles]

I posted this in another forum----
I made these for my C175--
The Tie Rod Ends are Stens 245-068 All are Right hand 3/8-24 thread. I cut off the heads of three bolts and welded them inside a 3/8 sch. 40 pipe.
While welding the studs, I decided that a long length of 3/8-24 all thread, could be slipped through a section of pipe after running a 3/8 drill bit through it. That would require no welding. The pipe would then be used for cosmetic purposes. I already had the bolts and some scrap pipe.
My total cost was less then $30.00 for the Rod Ends.

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n498/Yelrug/P4050018.jpg
http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n498/Yelrug/P4040004.jpg
http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n498/Yelrug/P4040016.jpg
http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n498/Yelrug/P4040010.jpg

 

[546cowboy]

Why don't you go to your Toro dealer and get new ones. They have them or can order them. There are also some new Toro ones on Ebay.