Hi,

I drive 99 5.9l D which is the 2WD version...with the steering rack
At the each end of the rack are rubber bellows that cover a ball joint. The ball joint connects the rack with the outer track rod end.
Excessive wear has developed in this ball joint...and guess what, Dodge only supply it with a complete new sterering rack...
So off to the scrap yard I go and as luck would have it I find a steering rack off a 2WD D and proceed to remove the ball joints...they simply unscrew off the rack.
I notice that the ball joints themselves look pretty dry...does anyone know if they should be lubricated and if with what...??

Rgds...Chris


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Hi Chris:
Yes, isn't that crazy that the inner tie rods are not sold ala carte by DC??

IRRC, the factory ends do not have grease fittings, so unless you have a grease needle and can shoot some in there you might be out of luck.
Did you try aftermarket , ie Moog or TRW to see if they sell them??

BTW, my 01 is on its 3rd rack. First one was replaced under warranty at 32k because it was seeping from the passenger side. A year later, I was T-boned by a red light runner who broke that new rack on the driver side.

Don

 

Hi,

I live in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia...so I'm a bit limited for getting spare parts I'm afraid...dealership or scrap yard, take your choice.
I'll speak to the crazy Philippino mechanics who maintain my D at the dealership and see what they can do...
Though I love my D dearly and its great fun to drive on the Bahrain run...this sort of cost saving from Dodge really piddles me off.

Chris