Tie rod end
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Joined: Mar 2017
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From: Belvidere illinois
Tie rod end
Hello all! So over the weekend I was able to get a couple things done on my truck. A 95 dakota slt v8. I replaced the driver side tire and had it balanced. The old tire was bad (to say the least) so I'm glad I got that done. also I rebuilt the exaust which was already straight piped so that saved me some time and installed a thrush that makes the truck sound like it's going to rip the road off of the earth which is always nice. The best part is that in doing so I was able to get a better look at the lower control arm bushings which are sagging pretty badly. I ordered lower control arms and the energy sus kit so hopefully everything goes smoothly with that. Finally while I was looking at the suspension I noticed that the rubber (bushing?) Looked like it exploded and that there was excess grease around it. Is this just a matter of deteriorated rubber or is this indicative of a bad tie rod end? Any suggestions would be appreciated thanks!
Champion
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 4,737
Likes: 374
From: Northwest Louisiana
Deteriorated rubber, but yes, the tie rod end, if not bad at the time the rubber let go, is bad, or going bad, now.
They're cheap enough ( the most expensive ones on RockAuto are under $35 as I type this ) and critical enough to steering safety that I'd just replace it. And the one on the other side, to keep it balanced.
Don't buy the CHEAPEST ones you can buy either (see note about safety).
To replace, a) loosen the adjusting sleeve on the outer side; b) pop the tie rod out of the knuckle, c) count the number of turns to get it out of the sleeve, d) put the new one in the same number of turns, e) tighten up the stud into the knuckle, f) lock down the adjusting sleeve.
If you're really paranoid (and going off you're 4x4), buy inners and sleeves, and adjust the pair (outer, sleeve, inner) to the same distance as the current setup.
After you get this done, either align the toe yourself (there's Youtubes and tutorials all over the Internet) or get a full alignment done.
Being 4x4, you may want to consider, while doing the bushings, do the upper control arm bushings and the upper ball joint also; and if you're feeling VERY flush, toss on an idler arm and a drag link - sucker will steer and ride like a new truck up front! Because it will be new up front ...
RwP
They're cheap enough ( the most expensive ones on RockAuto are under $35 as I type this ) and critical enough to steering safety that I'd just replace it. And the one on the other side, to keep it balanced.
Don't buy the CHEAPEST ones you can buy either (see note about safety).
To replace, a) loosen the adjusting sleeve on the outer side; b) pop the tie rod out of the knuckle, c) count the number of turns to get it out of the sleeve, d) put the new one in the same number of turns, e) tighten up the stud into the knuckle, f) lock down the adjusting sleeve.
If you're really paranoid (and going off you're 4x4), buy inners and sleeves, and adjust the pair (outer, sleeve, inner) to the same distance as the current setup.
After you get this done, either align the toe yourself (there's Youtubes and tutorials all over the Internet) or get a full alignment done.
Being 4x4, you may want to consider, while doing the bushings, do the upper control arm bushings and the upper ball joint also; and if you're feeling VERY flush, toss on an idler arm and a drag link - sucker will steer and ride like a new truck up front! Because it will be new up front ...
RwP
Record Breaker
Joined: Apr 2010
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Nothing to wear in the drag link if it isn't bent there cannot be any thing wrong with it, but the pitman arm can be. That and the idler arm are 2 most common parts to go bad on the 4WD.
on the tie rod end, those boots get torn all the time, that don't make the tie rod ends bad. If they are tight just keep them greased at every oil change.
on the tie rod end, those boots get torn all the time, that don't make the tie rod ends bad. If they are tight just keep them greased at every oil change.
Champion
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 4,737
Likes: 374
From: Northwest Louisiana
Well, no, it doesn't mean that the tie rod ends are bad.
But then again, there's been a broken seal against dirt and water; the odds of them being bad is a LOT higher!
And I apologize - was thinking the pitman ball was in the drag link; if it's on the pitman, then that would be what you would change out.
RwP
But then again, there's been a broken seal against dirt and water; the odds of them being bad is a LOT higher!
And I apologize - was thinking the pitman ball was in the drag link; if it's on the pitman, then that would be what you would change out.
RwP