Hi all!

I'm swapping the outer passenger side tie rod on my '98 Dakota 4x4. The rod connects to the knuckle underneath. Is this normal? Most tie ends I've seen have the threaded bolt go in from the top. That's why the trick of reversing the castle nut and tightening it to push the threaded rod loose was conceived.
This truck has a few quirks, so it wouldn't surprise me if someone replaced the tie ends and reversed them. On the other hand, I got it at 80K miles and the driver's side one is attached from underneath as well.
I did replace the lower ball joint on that side, and it is skewed to the point where the boot refuses to sit flush. It might have been what killed the outer tie, or possibly the fact that I shattered the passenger side spring shackle and had to drive it for quite a while with the spring eventually punching a hole through the bed. Don't ask..............