It's about time for new tread. I have abnormal tire wear that started after awhile back. I did have bad wheel bearing units that have since been replaced and the wear hasn't seemed to worsen.
I am thinking of getting an alignment prior to new shoes to protect the investment but I have welded my hydraulic RAM to my tie rod per the recommendation of West Texas Off Road. I am contemplating the following fork in the road:

- grind the mounting ears off and buy the clamp mount that WTOR now trusts to not slide on the TR
- buy a new tie rod and the clamp
-forego the alignment for now as the wheel feels pretty true and maybe the bad bearings were the cause of my abdormal tire wear (?)

What say you?

 

I’m not familiar with what you’re dealing with. But isn’t toe adjusted here?

 

You're right. I'm a ignoramus. The rod itself won't spin. The adjustment sleeve will. Crisis averted. Carry on

 

I would reccomend getting a set of offroad toe plate to check toe/set toe with. You take wheels off an bolt them on in place and take measurement in front and back for quick easy way to check and set toe. I've lined up a few that way.

 

Awesome!

 

Well maybe not. The rod length shortening/lengthening might be the reported issue I read about concerning future alignments when welding to the tie rod. The RAM would compress/bump-stop stearing in one direction and overextend to lock in the other. TBD...

 

Toe is adjusted with only the adjuster in the right circle and it should be adjusted with the suspension loaded, tires on the ground.

 

Possible the issue you seen was for 05+ f250? They have different tie rod that has 2 short end sand a long adjusting in the center where you would mojnt the ram. That style would have issues like you were referring to in first post.

 

Get the alignment then check the rod. If you need to adjust it, cut and re-weld the ram mount ears. Or get the clamp on. Don't over think this one...

EDIT: found the clamp...for the price. I re-weld. https://the4x4garage.square.site/

 

Thanks coop. Sounds easy enough. You're right, steering shouldnt be too restricted to make it home to check and can address afterwards.