driving home from work i keep hearing a single knock everytime i turn right but nothing when i turn left. what could something like that? the sound comes from the drivers side front of the truck.

 

Ball joint, tie rod, CV axle, sway bar end links. Time to pull a wheel off and inspect. Could be any or all those things.

 

thx for the ideas on where to look.

 

well i decided that the steering power rack is what is causing the issue. i am going to change it out and get new tie rods at the same time. my question is how do i know if i have inner tie rods or outer ??

 

If it's rack and pinion, you have both. If it's recirc ball (NOT on a 2WD or later 4WD!), it's just tie rod ends, no inner or outer.

RwP

 

well i have a 01 dakota slt 4wd. and all i saw under the truck was the power steering rack going to a tie rod each side. so i guess i have just tie rods then.

 

odd thing is that rock auto labels them all with outer or inner but i guess that more then likely doesnt matter. what brand would u guys recommend?

 

No, the INNER is inside the bellows, the OUTER is what's between the INNER and the KNUCKLE.

And, yes, it very VERY much matters. The inner and outer do not swap.

Before you touch it, I HIGHLY recommend a good study on how the rack and pinion is designed, how it works, and what you need to do to fix it. Or just take it to a good shop.

Hint: *broken_record_mode* Pick up the Mopar Factory Service Manual. For a 2001, the night I type this, I find PDF copies on Ebay for $7.44, paper for as low as $14.95 .

WAY before I touched something so safety critical, I'd Read The Fine Manual and study up on it.

As to brand - Moog's gone to sucking, so I can't in all good conscience recommend them any more.

My choice is ACDelco or Raybestos Advanced Technology or Professional Grade. Or genuine Mopar.

RwP

 

copy that .