Had the Ex inspected and the passenger outer tie rod is shot. It's loose and won't tighten. I was told I needed an outer tie rod. I feel like this is something I can do, but my question is what else should I replace? While I'm in there I might as well replace whatever may also be worn (or wearing). So what all do I need to replace?

2005 6.0 4x4 Excursion

 

It is nigh to impossible to tell you what is worn out under your truck if we cannot crawl under it, and if you do not have any symptoms for us to diagnose.

If the only thing a shop said was worn is a tie rod, that may be it. After replacing a tie rid, you will have to have the truck aligned.

If you want to check for other problems, jack up each front tire independently, then put your hands on the tire at 12 and 6 o'clock. Try to push and pull the top and bottom of the tire. If there is play, your ball joints need replaced.

Then place your hands at 3 and 9 o'clock and try to turn the tire left and right. If there is a lot of play, that means tie rods are shot.

Other than that, you could check the steering stabilizer, but if you aren't having problems with anything under there, one tie rod may be all that needs fixed.

 

I have all four tie rods waiting on me to do the job, along with all four ball joints. For me, if one side is bad the rest are not far behind. I like to reset the clock on things like this in groups. It isn't that much more to just change them all and do one alignment vs. One at a time with multiple downtimes, alignments etc. That's just how I do it though. YMMV.

 

Thanks. I ordered all four tie rod ends. I figured if one is worn, the others aren't far behind. Hopefully I'll knock it out in an afternoon.