We're trying to replace the tie rods and ball joints of our '98 B1500 van, but are caught up in ordering parts. Is there a major difference in right hand threads versus left hand threads, and if so, do we need both (two for each side)? There's also several kinds of ball joints, some greasable, some threaded, some non-threaded. Does anyone have an idea of which of those types would be needed, or if there's much of a difference between them?

--the crew of Debbie-Jean



ignore my hand lol i'm pointing at something else don't worry about that part

 

You will need an upper and a lower on both sides. Any auto parts store should be able to get you what you need with your year and model, and yes there is a big difference between left and right hand hand threads.

 

You need one left hand and one right hand per side. The collar that connects the inner and outer tie rods on each side also has right hand threads at one end and left hand on the other. The reason for this is during a front-end alignment the tech loosens the clamps on the connecting collar and rotates it for the toe-in/toe-out adjustment. By having opposite threads, turn the collar one way and the tie rods come closer, turn it the other way and they move further apart. If both ends were right hand threads, then the collar would just move back and forth and nothing would get adjusted.