Thank you TrueDogman, I was not against the curb.

 

Likely it was a problem that was going to happen eventually regardless. Quite likely something wasn't tightened the last time the steering linkage was worked on, and this had been slowly beating up the threads since then. It just picked a good time to fail. (instead of going 70 down the interstate, with all your family in the truck.) Replace the parts, make sure they are installed properly, get an alignment, and don't worry about it again. Although, I would be REAL tempted to inspect the rest of the steering with a friggin' magnifying glass......

 

Heyyou, Thank you. Just from my initial inspection, eveything looks stock (no grease zerks). I had hockey tonight so I was only able to get the outer tie rod end off. I bought the truck with 122,000 miles on it. Fine threads should never on tie rods and drag links should never pull out.

 

Fine threads actually have more surface area engagement of the threads than coarse threads. Which is stronger? No idea. I suppose its also possible the jam not was over-torqued, and ripped the threads off as well.

 

Fine threads are stronger, just more difficult to put together. More surface area to grab. I've been thinking (now my head hurts too! ) I wonder if the correct part was put on as a field replacement. If a part for the correct vehicle was put on, but on the wrong side, it would eat the threads out. I'm not sure how Chrysler front ends are adjusted, but some vehicles have LH threads on one side and RH threads on the other. I think that since the front end will need aligned anyway, I'd check the other side.

 

I second this opinion, and raise it by saying replace both - on both sides and call it day !

 

Less headaches as time goes on