How to change tie rods (w/ pics!)
 

I noticed this:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=73770

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=73771

And it also smelled like burned oil, to my surprise it turned out to be this:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=73764
Yes, one of the boots busted.
And upon, jacking up the vehicle there seemed to be a little loose in that tie rod when pushing/pulling the passenger side tire.

Just to be safe, both tie rods will be changed, the other one looks like:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=73765
Notice how cracked/dry the rubber is? I will start spraying these(and the other rubber boots) with silicon at every oil change from now on.

Purchase some new tie rods:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=73773

Lift up vehicle using notches on the radius arms, and position some axle stands, safety first.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=73766

Before doing anything, measure everything!
Counting the number of turns when taking off a tie rod end is not going to work, one of them turns in the wrong way. Measure the distance instead, 1 turn will make a noticeable distance difference.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=73772

I would also advice on measuring the total length of the tie rod bar, this should allow you to put it back pretty much like it was.

Now spray plenty of this stuff:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=73767
Try to drown these:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=73768
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=73769

You might want to secure the steering wheel with a seat belt, just in case.

Now, undo the bolt on the passenger side, use a puller and/or a hammer to separate them. Then unbolt the driver side, same strategy. (Sorry no pictures)

Now that you have tie rod bar in your hands, put it into a vice to undo one end.
Inspect, mine had this:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=73776

Spray more of that stuff:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=73774

Now with the adjusters loose (take that bolt out!), try to pry this a little, and use a pipe wrench to unscrew the tie rod. (If you feel like counting the number of turns be my guest, good luck)
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=73775

Now put the new end on, and turn the same exact number of turns, or better yet just measure the gap (this is assuming the new part is exactly like the old part):
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=73777

Once both ends are done, re-installation is easy.
Just bolt it up, I think the torque specs are 85lb-ft for the tie rod ends and 41lb-ft for the adjusters but double check this, I could be wrong.

Measure the distance between the front tires in the front and in the back, it should be about the same.

Now it's time to get an alignment and you're done!

Excellent thread... pics are perfect. Rep's given! 8D

Nice job...

Nice Write up..Reps given

Great Job and nice picture progress!

reps given!

sweet write up nice pics

what year is your truck my tie rods alittle diff but thats ok still about the same work

the only boot thats leaking is the Tie rod at the steering box

I was going to count the turns and also try and mark its position on the steering linkage

funny how 1-2 turns one way or another can throw alignment off



funny I measured the distance same way you did on my car and with some driveing and adjustment I got it right on It was easy but also only had one tire wearing funny so I knew I had to adjust that one by the time I had it going straight down the road the steeringwheel ended up centered perfict

I have a 2005 F250, this should apply till 07.

However, it's likely to be very similar for other years.

Another nice write up with pics! Thanks!

I tried to rep ya but I just repped ya in your heated seat thread so I gotta spread it around first.

Great write up. Question though, your truck appears to not have a steering stabilizer. Also noticed my truck doesn't have one while doing my front end.
Whats the deal here?

Great job and write up. I have one that is going to need to be changed out soon myself.

Here's a better angle, should be easier to see like this.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=73854

*Notice the valve on the oil pan

Make sure the rubber is still good on the other one.
And if the other one goes right after, you have pay the shipping fee, tear it down again & get an alignment.
Might as well do both?

Btw, total cost was 100$ per tie rod & 40$ shipping. -> 240$
(No alignment was done yet..)

I will just do both at the same time. I had one bend on me slightly. Still within specs for now but I know it is not wearing evenly

HI, I am changing the Right one with Moog, mine is a 2006 and looks pretty well the same, the left looks OK but maybe I should do both.
What is the Moog number for the Left side (driver), I could not get a number. They want $184.00 for one here.
I got the Right one replaced 16 month ago with a ford Motorcrap, 11,000 miles on it and it's got a gook half inch play now, what a crarp. I also replaced the left hand ball joint, the upper one had quite a bit of play, may be it scrapped the tie rod??