Tie rod movement
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
Tie rod movement
Installed a rancho dual stabilizer today and realized that my tie rods and that link that connects them pretty easily moves.. But it moves in a radial direction... Like it twists... I'm gonna check tomorrow and see if there is up and down or side to side play but just curious if the movement I have is normal. If its not does anybody know some good replacement tie rods? Auto zone wants 134, dealer wants almost 200... I haven't seen where I can buy only the joint, I'm guessing you can't ... Any info is appreciated.
-Josh
-Josh
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
Hi Josh,
Just because you can twist the joint on the ball doesn't mean that it's bad. Any end play, either up and down or side to side would mean that you have a problem though. The whole point to the ball and socket tie rod end is to permit movement in several directions.
I like Moog suspension components, and they are reasonably priced on Rockauto. But it doesn't seem from your OP that yours are bad.
Just because you can twist the joint on the ball doesn't mean that it's bad. Any end play, either up and down or side to side would mean that you have a problem though. The whole point to the ball and socket tie rod end is to permit movement in several directions.
I like Moog suspension components, and they are reasonably priced on Rockauto. But it doesn't seem from your OP that yours are bad.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
Well I'm going to get a crow bar and check tomorrow cause I do feel some slop, although the dual stabilizer helped a lot.. But it still shouldn't feel the way that it does, and I didn't mean that the ball joint its self twisting, I ment the linkage that connect to the 2 sides
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Well I'm going to get a crow bar and check tomorrow cause I do feel some slop, although the dual stabilizer helped a lot.. But it still shouldn't feel the way that it does, and I didn't mean that the ball joint its self twisting, I ment the linkage that connect to the 2 sides
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
did you install the stabilizer because the steering was loose? you might just have a bad tie rod end and with the stabilizer just patched the problem instead of fixing it. disconect the stabilizer and do the test i mentioned
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
No, I got the dual stabilizer because I was getting bump steer and some jitters when hitting a bump going down the road, plus I recently put on 37's, although I think I'm gonna down size to 35's cause it's too much tire for normal driving... anyway, no, the stabilizer helped keep things more solid, I don't see any play in the tie rods, but I was just checking to make sure the the adjust sleeve is allowed to rotate in a radial motion. the more I looked into it they seem fine, I do get kind of a mild popping noise when going over pot holes and stuff.. pisses me off every time is happens too... checked ball joints but they SEEM to be fine.. but I do have a heavy wheel, so I may just not have a big enough bar to properly check.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
i havent spent much time under my new truck yet but if we have grease fittings try to grease them. 37's are a bit big and some steering dificulties will be associated but i have 35's and dont have any problems i dont expect out of them.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
also, is there an easy way to adjust the gear box, I have a little more play in the wheel then I'd like, and I know how to adjust it, but actually doing it is another story, is there any easy way, or am I just gonna have to feel around, or use a mirror or something to see what the heck I'm doing?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
i dont know how to adjust the gear box but a gear box shouldnt go bad for a really long time. i have replaced engines, transmissions transfercases and never a steering gear box. i have seen a steering gear box rip a frame it was rusted but still
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
A gear box is easy to adjust, I'm not saying mine is going bad, I just wanna get rid of my steering wheel play, and adjusting the gear box will do just that... I was just wondering if anybody had an easy way of doing so
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 821
Likes: 1
From: 50450 IOWA
they are looking into a recall on that
"NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 5 complaints alleging an internal failure of the steering gear box resulting in a complete loss of steering control"
"NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 5 complaints alleging an internal failure of the steering gear box resulting in a complete loss of steering control"
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
has anyone replaced their steering pump? mine started whining after I put a 3 in' level on, I don't think it's starting to fail, but it just whines loudly, and I can't stand it, and I did try the flush procedure but that didn't help either. Just curious to if a reman or a new pump would be quiet since I've read ford's always tend to have steering pump whines
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kjett
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
3
Dec 30, 2003 06:50 AM