Tie Rod???
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 319
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From: Granada Hills, CA
Tie Rod???
Is this the tie rod?
If so should it have tons of play in it? I am trying to figure out what is rattling under my front end and this is the only thing that is loose. And it rotates a pretty good amount too.
Thanks!!!
If so should it have tons of play in it? I am trying to figure out what is rattling under my front end and this is the only thing that is loose. And it rotates a pretty good amount too.
Thanks!!!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,955
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From: Eastern PA
If you jack the front end up can you move the wheels back and forth? If so, you need to tighten the tie rod. There can be a bit of play in the tie rod going forward and backward in regards to the vehicle direction, but not in and out to and from the wheel.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2007
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Not trying to step on your toes here jay, but if you jack up the front end you will take the load off of the tie rod end and you cant acurrately tell how much play is in it, you cant put as much pressure on it as the truck does. So you need to leave it on the ground and have someone inside the vehicle move the steering wheel back and forth, without actually turning the tires, and you need to watch for movement in the tie rod end, not just the one you have shown in the picture, but all 4 of them, if it is bad there is no adjustment for them, they must be replaced.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
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Tiffany, to accurately diagnose, I will need pics of yourself. But the part you are pointing to is the draglink i believe. That will wear out before the balljoints in my experience, but is not your cluncking. Check the swaybar bushings.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Granada Hills, CA
Jacked the X up today and ball joints seemed tight, wiggled side to side and tie rods are bad. I also did what AFmech suggested and there was movement in the front tie rod and my husband felt a vibration in the tie rod that I took a picture of. When i move the steering wheel slightly he can feel it vibrating, any ideas on that? I am taking it to the dealer tomorrow for all that stuff. Warranty is up in a month.
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Brett Foote
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From: Southern California
Tiffany,
Good pic of the pitman arm and the drag link. I'm getting a clunk from my front end. I also noticed that the end of the drag link, under the connection to the pitman arm, is rubbing/scraping on the part, torsion bar, I think, when full left steering is applied. Might have tightened up the steering box too much. Gonna follow some of the other posts and check my shocks, and hubs, and ball joints to see what is making the clunk. Please give us feedback on what the dealer tells ya.
Good pic of the pitman arm and the drag link. I'm getting a clunk from my front end. I also noticed that the end of the drag link, under the connection to the pitman arm, is rubbing/scraping on the part, torsion bar, I think, when full left steering is applied. Might have tightened up the steering box too much. Gonna follow some of the other posts and check my shocks, and hubs, and ball joints to see what is making the clunk. Please give us feedback on what the dealer tells ya.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Granada Hills, CA
Hi Mike,
I just got the X back. They found that the Right inner tie rod link was loose so that got replaced. They also found the Front Sway bar end links were cracked so that got replaced as well. Everything else checked out good hubs, ball joints so on. They did torque down all the suspension parts too. It was a dream to drive home, between my husband replacing the steering stablizer and the other things the dealer fixed it felt like a new truck. No wandering at all. My rattle was gone (except for the stupid leaf spring) I also had my tranny serviced and they said it was in perfect condition. Happy to hear that!!! Now all I need is the injectors to be cleaned out and should be good to go.
I just got the X back. They found that the Right inner tie rod link was loose so that got replaced. They also found the Front Sway bar end links were cracked so that got replaced as well. Everything else checked out good hubs, ball joints so on. They did torque down all the suspension parts too. It was a dream to drive home, between my husband replacing the steering stablizer and the other things the dealer fixed it felt like a new truck. No wandering at all. My rattle was gone (except for the stupid leaf spring) I also had my tranny serviced and they said it was in perfect condition. Happy to hear that!!! Now all I need is the injectors to be cleaned out and should be good to go.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Granada Hills, CA
Still leans, not as bad, that is also the leaf that creaks off and on now too. I figured its not worth the hassle of fixing and we will be getting the F250/350 springs soon.
