Saw one review on Proforged tie rod inner n outer. He compared it to Moog and liked it more than Moog until he actually put it on his car. Then he didn’t like it. Few fit issues. But this is anectodal.

 

BTW - get a 3/4-1/2 adapter for that 3/4 breaker; you may use it in the future.

RwP

 

This is funny I don’t care who you are. I ordered one just 30 seconds before reading your reply. We do think alike but I have to give you the nod for being just a tad quicker.

 

Welp, Ralph. Just went out there. Took one of the front tires off so I could see the tie rod. Did the 3 and 9 o’clock shimmy. The rod end doesn’t move at all. But the inner rod moves in and out. Not much. Maybe a 16th to an 1/8th. But it isn’t my rod ends moving. It’s the inner tie rods. I guess I always figgered when the tie rod goes 9x out of 10 it’s the outer rod end. So looks like I need to replace it all. Hope its the inner rod and not the rack or sumpin.

 

The inner has a ball joint on it; I'd also do the OUTER for Justin Case.

Pull the two as an assembly if the new inners come with jam nuts (or see if you can pick jam nuts up!) and get some rack bellows - not Moog; last Moog bellows I bought lasted 6 months.

That way you can adjust the tie rod assembly to the same overall length, making it easier to keep it close enough to steer to the alignment shop.

RwP

 

What are your thoughts of just replacing the entire rack and pinion? Advanced sells a Cardone reman for $175 + $70 core charge I assume I would get back if I return my old one. They ship to my home only. I guess I’d have to pay to ship back my core so that would eat up the core charge refund. Amazon sells the same Cardone for $243. Looks like they have a $72 rebate. Not sure if that means I have to return my old one.

Anyway, it comes with inners already on it so All I’d need is outers.

How can I know if the rack on my truck is still good?

 

My thoughts?

My Cardones (one on the Dakota, one on the Cougar) didn't make 10,000 miles.

My RackDoctor.NET unit on both have seen over 100,000 each.

As to how do you know; it won't play in and out. What you do is see if it's leaking.

(Consider how a rack and pinion is constructed ... there's not may ways for it to pick up play, save for Just Dun Wore Slap Out. And usually the seals give way before the rack's worn out.)

If you DO replace it - I'd also recommend some good poly bushings.

I get compliments on how tight the Dakota is, and it's got some play in it now (as far as I can tell, it's the lower bushing in the steering column; it raises up and down a bit when I go in the play.)

RwP

 

Good info. You’re right now that you mention it, there’s not much there in the R&P to allow play. A couple gears and, as you say, they’d have to be pretty wacked out. Something that would rear its ugly head in a big way. I did check the lines and all around the steering gear and saw zero leaking. Dry as a bone. Fluid levels exactly where they should be. So I guess I’ll put the steering gear out of my mind until there is evidence otherwise. So inners and outers are on the menu.

The parts n tools are trickling in. Got the Sunex today. Thing is a Hoss. More parts due tomorrow and into next week. Should order tie rod crap tomorrow. Still undecided.

Once again, thanks Ralph. You’ve been a big help. And I can go back on this thread if need be when I get to some of these repairs.

 

You’re not the first time I heard negative jive about Cardone. What went out on yours?

 

The seals.

Started running through power steering fluid like it was gasoline or something.

RwP