so... some of you have already been through this one... new for me:

the "Right Hand", Outer (?) tie rod for my Dana 60 Moonbeam front end ain't avail no more and the ball joint is toast = Mr. Wiggly.

This is the long one that ties the 2 steering knuckles together...



I have found what I believe are suitable replacements, both at Rock Auto... one is a cheap (low cost) version that references the correct part by description... and a more expensive one that also references the correct part number but adds a note that "the first design steering linkage with 22mm diameter threads must be replaced by the second design linkage with 1"-18 diameter threads"

Mine is the 1" version (by measurement) ... so I should be ok... but I just wanted to check with you all to see if there is something else I should be aware of before ordering this part regarding fit. It'll have the reverse thread, I trust.

Looks like Ford did an upgrade the year before my '86. Original Part number: E7TZ-3A130-A ... r/p E8TZ-3A130-C.

'86 F350 4x4 Dana 60... Gary... or NumberDummy... feel free to double check me on this

 

I think you have the part numbers figured out correctly. I have the F & U-series, only, part numbers shown here so it makes it easier to see what you are looking for: Tie Rods and Drag Links - ???Gary's Garagemahal. And I do see exactly what you described, with E7TZ-A replaced by E8TZ-C.

However, note that the terminology is different here. The catalog calles that a "R.H. inner", not "outer". The illustration I have on that page is for the lighter-duty front axles, and since I assume you have the right illustration shown here for your application you probably have picked the right part. But I just wanted to point out the difference.

 

... thx, Gary... and hence the question mark after "outer" on my post. The Rock Auto listing refers to the part as Right Outer... but based on their pic and description it looks to be the part I need... that was another source of confusion... I think I'll go with the expensive version

Cheers!

 

The picture on your website link (Gary) is the TTB steering setup.
And rbond has the straight axle setup, so the drawing may add to the confusion (maybe just my confusion).

 

I agree, so I added the solid axle illustration and included titles for the illustrations. Please see if you agree with how I've done it: Tie Rods and Drag Links - ???Gary's Garagemahal.

 

With monobeam axle. 1985 F350 4WD from 2/1985; 1986 F350 4WD; 1987 F350 4WD before 2/1987

E8TZ-3A130-C (replaced E7TZ-3A130-A) .. Right Inner Tie Rod End

E6TZ-3A131-A (replaced by MAT #88003) .. LeftOuter Tie Rod End.

E5TZ-3A131-B (replaced by MAT #88002 & 89058) .. Left Inner Tie Rod End.

Notice below the applications in your catalog that it lists different part numbers for the:

Left outer tie rod (E8TZ-3A131-B), adjusting sleeve (E7TZ-3281-A) and drag link (E7TZ-3304-B) aka right outer tie rod end.

ALL of these parts have to be changed. You cannot just replace one or two and expect the other(s) to work properly

Does you C/D catalog list the MATS? Mine doesn't, so I assume yours doesn't either. The C/D catalog is also missing the TSB's.

My microfiche slide catalog lists both the MATS & the TSB's.

 

Hey, Bill... is there still any record of possible recalls for this steering linkage replacement?

I'm only curious because I believe I already have the replacement parts (1" dia threaded shaft vs. the original 22mm dia shaft) but the upgrade would have been done by the previous owner (long ago) perhaps via a recall?

If mine ARE the replacement parts, then I'd be a sit surprised that they would need replacing after only 70K mi. or so.

Oh, yeah... and what is MAT?

 

Nice

btw... could it be that Inner / Outer describes the thread direction?

 

In my experience the "outer" has always been the "piece" closest to the tire - regardless of which side your working on.

 

No recalls that I'm aware of. Ford used MATS as 'fixums' .. you had to look 'em up, then get the part numbers.

A time consuming...royal PITA because most dealers didn't have the parts in stock, some were only stocked in Dearborn. So customers could wait and wait and wait until the parts came in.

 

Thx, Bill
And some parts catalogs contain MATs and other not?

Would this be an example of a MAT?

 

... seems logical, CB... but there also seem to be some examples that don't fit that pattern!

 

Yeah. That's why we need guys like NumberDummy to figure these things out for us.

 

It doesn't make any reference, but I believe it's related to MAT #88003 because it refers to the left outer tie rod end.

I'll have to look up these MATS in my microfiche...to verify.

 

... just wanted to complete this thread with a confirmation:

I went with the Moog DS1071 Tie Rod End from RockAuto. The part is a perfect match for the DANA 60 Moonbeam front end... and has a serviceable (grease fitting) ball joint with a metal cap... rather than the exposed rubber bushing of the original part: E8TZ-3A130-C (replacement for E7TZ-3A130-A) It is a 1" x 18 reverse thread. This is for an '86 F350 4x4.

It was significantly more expensive than the other choices at $80 ... but I'm a believer that you get what you pay for (in most cases) and steering components aren't the place to gamble with quality