i noticed the other day both of my outer tie rods are shot. i will replace them this weekend. there is a lot of play in them. will it be safe to drive the rest of this week? what are the chances of them coming apart and me losing my steering?

 

How shot is shot? This is a real safety issue, if it were me I'd be finding some other transportation or start spinnin some wrenches. Best to be safe than sorry..


79 250 Ranger Lariat 4wd 400 C6 3.55's 33x12.50 16.5's
78 Bronco Custom 4wd 400 C-6 3.50's 31 10.5 15's
66 Mustang Coupe Sports sprint 200 c-4 cruise o matic 3.00's
99 Grand Prix GT 230 ft/lbs torque out of a non turbo'd 6 cyl hehe

 

hi
i agree. whitnessed a roll over due to this very same thing. not pretty.

 

i could wiggle the wheel back and forth about an inch or two.

 

Park it and get the wrenches out. Inspect your vehicle a little more often. It sounds like you may have other parts loose also.

Thanks for using FTE!




[font color=red]As a Moderator I do not "Subscribe" to most topics,
please send email/pm if you need a reply -Thanks![/font]
-

 

2" sounds excessive for tie rods, sounds like your rag joint is shot too... If the tie rods are loose I'd park that baby till it's fixed though, I've seen a few let go and it is a mess.

 

Could be loose bearings that just need to be cleaned, repacked, and torqued down. Pay careful attention to where the movement is occuring. None the less, heed everone's advice -safety first

 

it is definitly the outer tie rods. i have checked everything else. torque1st, i just bought this truck so i am going through it little by little. its hard to know everything possible that can use replacing on a 23 year old truck. it all takes time and money.

 

Money... -tell me about it :-(

When you buy a vehicle like these it is imperative that you give it a thorough safety check b4 driving it. Better safe than sorry.

Thanks for using FTE!




[font color=red]As a Moderator I do not "Subscribe" to most topics,
please send email/pm if you need a reply -Thanks![/font]
-

 

I would suggest a really close look at the drag link.

Dennis

F.T.E. Assistant Administrator

http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/starfleet_command_e0.gif
[font color=red]
"May The Spirit Of Christmas Be An Inspiration To You Throughout The Year"[/font]

[link:www.ford-trucks.com/guidelines.html|Club FTE]

[link: motorhaven.autoanything.com|How YOU Can Support This Site]

[link:www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Mil1ion.html|My Website,"North Of The 49th"]

 

 

I also have a Question about saftey... I just bought my truck and was wondering if anyone could make me a list of things to check out. Because I am learning on this truck, since it is my first truck.

 

Racerdave, Before putting any vehicle on the road, always make sure all the steering linkages are tight.

No loose wheel bearings.

Make sure the brakes are all working properly, with no worn parts. And no fluid leaks pertaining to the brakes.

Make sure the tires are not dry rotted, or worn badly.

No broken or damaged suspension parts.

No fuel leaks.


I don't think I left anything out.

U-Joints on the driveshaft,
by a secret Santa


Just think "absolute safety" at all times!!!

 

Thanks, just what I needed! I just checked all of the things you said, it useto have a fuel leak, but a carb rebuild kit fixed that about a week ago, and the tires are in great shape, suspention is great concitering it has air shocks and it sat for 12 years and they still hold air, the only thing that I noticed that I want fixed is it has an exhaust leak somwhere near the manifold, the owner befor me put a cherry bomb exhaust on it and didnt do a very good weld job.. So I am going to take her in and get headers and dual exhaust... I just cant decide between Straight out the back pipes or behind the rear tires. right now it is in front of the right rear tire. When somone pulls up on my right and I take off they have been known to get a little mad.. lol, and I pray to god that a cop never pulls up on my right side :-X23