tie rod ends - replace or not
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 14
From: Vale, NC
tie rod ends - replace or not
I've had a crazy turn of events that required me to pull my tranny this last weekend. What an ordeal, and I think getting it back in will be even worse. BUT, the ball joint on the driver's side was completely shot, so I figured I'd refresh both sides and the upper control arms while it is up on blocks.
My question is, would you do the tie rod ends too? What about idler arm and pitman arm? I don't really want to just throw money at it for no reason, but doing it now might make sense too.
I dont think I can tell if they are ok or not without puttng everything back together, so I'm fishing for some opinions.
2001 Screw 5.4 4x4, 136k
My question is, would you do the tie rod ends too? What about idler arm and pitman arm? I don't really want to just throw money at it for no reason, but doing it now might make sense too.
I dont think I can tell if they are ok or not without puttng everything back together, so I'm fishing for some opinions.
2001 Screw 5.4 4x4, 136k
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
i replaced the upper and lower ball joints on my truck when i got it at 125k miles. the tie rods were still good. they are still good today. tie rod gets a lot less abuse than ball joints. i also had the idler arm bushing worn and replaced idler. it is not that big a job to do tie rods. put the truck back together, then see how much endshake, clearance you have. may not need changed now.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,466
Likes: 0
From: N. Fort Myers,FL
If they have any play in them replace them. On all my tie rods the boots have been torn open well before I even owned it, and only one of my tie rods have a little bit of play.
When I get around to replacing the one bad tie rod, I will replace them all.
When I get around to replacing the one bad tie rod, I will replace them all.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Tie Rod Ends are a dead easy fix compared to what you are doing. go to Rock Auto, order Ford parrts and replace them now.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 605
Likes: 1
Outer tie rods ends are an easy and inexpensive swap. Get Moog with grease fitting. You can do a visual on the idler and pitman. You'll need someone to put the wheels back on since you're up on blocks. You should have somone rock one wheel side to side at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock while someone else holds the wheel on the other side stationary. You'll be under the truck watching while they are rocking. If the pitman or idler arms are worn they will rock on the shaft they are supposed to pivot on. There should be NO rocking of the pitman or idler arms. Also watch the drag link. does it swivel? It shouldn't. If it does replace it too.
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New User
Joined: Nov 2008
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ok maybe one of you could help me out i have a 97 F150 4X4 4.6 short bed flairside my front driver side tire is bald on the inside and the tires are 5 months old. if you look form the front u can see the tire not riding right but slanted. im also gettin a pop in the front drivers side when i hit the gas hard or hit a bump and the pop is really loud and i can feel it in the floor when it happens and a lot of times i can step up on the step bar on the driver side and it will do the pop also any ideas?
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 605
Likes: 1
The ball joint is the interface between the spindle and control arm(upper or lower. Lowers wear out much faster than uppers because they carry weight while the uppers just hold the spindle in place. If you put the chassis on jack stands on the side that is having a problem with the front tire off of the ground you can put a floor jack under the lower control arm on that side. You jack the lower control arm up very slowly while watching both the control arm and spindle. As the jack contacts the lower control arm the arm and spindle should begin moving at the SAME TIME. If the lower control arm moves BEFORE the spindle the ball joint is worn and must be replaced. Watch very closely as the jack contacts the lower arm as the movement may not be much before the spindle also begins to move. It doesn't take much to indicate a worn ball joint.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 768
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
On terms of the tie rod ends, they are inexpensive and rather simple to replace so i would consider doing them. Ball joints I would only do if they are bad if you are doing them yourself without a press that could become quite a chore. With the idler arm and pittman arm, if you have suspicion that one is bad then chances are the other one may be as well. The idler arm is definately a breeze compared to the pittman arm, one hour for the idler arm, a good 7 or 8 for the pittman arm with tinkering trying to get it off. If you have the time and money then i don't see what problems would occur from replacing all these parts.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,155
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From: Southern Louisiana
I would rather change them now, instead of blocking the truck back up later. As far as tie rods go, if you have to ask, better to just go ahead and do it. This is one of those things that you dont want to find out you made the wrong decision about. If you are keeping the truck, they will need to be replaced soon anyway. To recap on what a previous poster said, go to Rock Auto, but order Moog parts. Ford parts are the same non greasable parts that are on there now, Moogs have grease fittings.