08 1500, QC, 4x4, 4wd, 5.7

It has been a long time since I have posted, but I have a problem. Last night when moving my truck from the curb to the driveway (it was dark), I started to turn left, heard a clunk and the steering froze. Every time I tried to move the steering wheel, the pump was maxed out and the right front would raise up a little. After another loud clunk, the steering freed up and I was able to get in the driveway. In the daylight I started to inspect and came across my inner tie-rod pulled out of the outer tie rod. Anyone ever had this happen?

 

Are the threads in tact? If so, then whoever did your last alignment probably didn't tighten the jam nut.

 

Threads are stripped. I got this truck last October, it has about 153,000 miles. Never had a problem until last night. I just called our local Dodge Dealer to pick the service tech's brain a little. After talking to him for a few minutes, he had never heard of anything like this, there was a pause, he then told me they just a Wrangler in with the same exact problem. They are going to work on it later today and he told me to call back mid morning tomorrow.

 

By chance was the RF tire against the curb and you turned the wheel to the left? RFwheel couldnt turn because of the curb and your power steering pressure was greater than the rusty threads on the tie rod end?? 😁

 

I was about 1' from the curb. We had heavy rains yesterday and there is a catch basin in front of my house.

 

Replace both inner, and outer, get an alignment, call it a day.

 

I got the parts ordered. Probably do it Thursday night. Just wondering if anyone has experienced or been through something like this.

 

Yeah, about 45 or so years ago on an early 50's Dodge. The owner had done some work and aligned the wheels with a tape measure (you could do that back then) but didn't tighten everything down right. Your problem probably began to develop long before you got the truck.

 

I have been doing repair work and service work on semi's, loaders, dozers, cars, and other equipment (I work weekends for an excavating company and my primary job is in the agriculture business). In my mind, I am just trying to go over all the scenarios of what might be the underlying reason behind this. I do a lot of driving because I have 2 boys in hockey.

 

Sorry but I feel my scenario fits the bill. You say the steering locked up and the RF corner of the truck lifted up. The rear sidewall of the right front wheel of the truck was against the curb and had no where to go when you were turning left..so it attempted to climb the curb raising the truck. Hydraulic pressure won and pulled your inner threads out of the tie rod end. Will say no more. 😁