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Old Mar 30, 2009 | 02:40 PM
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Tie Rod end replacement

I'm replacing one of the tie rod ends this afternoon ! The one that attaches to the pitman arm is the one that is screwed ! I can wiggle it and it clunks and moves quite a bit.. I'm hoping it will take some of the wandering my truck has been doing ! If I take a measurement of over all length of that rod.. will I have to get an alignment ????? Any tricks you guys have ????
 
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Old Mar 30, 2009 | 02:46 PM
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When I replaced mine I took a measurement and after the install I had no pulling problems at all. Then 2000 miles later my tires told the story feathered edges and weird wear patterns. I ended up having to get an alignment. How much do tires cost vs. an alignment cost, how lucky do you feel?
 
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Old Mar 30, 2009 | 02:48 PM
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Originally Posted by RedBoat
When I replaced mine I took a measurement and after the install I had no pulling problems at all. Then 2000 miles later my tires told the story feathered edges and weird wear patterns. I ended up having to get an alignment. How much do tires cost vs. an alignment cost, how lucky do you feel?
Hahahaha.. I'm feelin kind of lucky !!! I just do all the tie rods at the same time then and then get an alignment ?????? I don't want to replace one and then find out another one is hooped ! Then do it all over again !
 
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Old Mar 30, 2009 | 03:09 PM
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You can get it close by measuring or counting # of turns but like Costa said close isn't good enough sometimes. If one is shot, the others may not be far behind so if you can afford it I'd replace them all.
 
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Old Mar 30, 2009 | 03:16 PM
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IS there a better way to check the others for wear ???? This one is a no brainer because I can wiggle it with my hand ! It clunks away like you wouldn't believe !
 
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Old Mar 30, 2009 | 03:21 PM
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I've always checked them by jacking the tire up and trying to move it by hand while someone else looks for slop, or by turning the steering wheel while someone watches underneath for a sloppy joint.
 
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Old Mar 30, 2009 | 03:27 PM
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Time to buck up Russ!! Spend the dough and get er done!
BTW, let me know what you find with your supplier in regards to the dash paint that I am going to need for our project. The color is Medium Dark Parchment. No luck here locally yet. (End of Hi-jack)
 
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Old Mar 30, 2009 | 03:29 PM
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Chase.. I just went out a wiggled around some more..... I can actually move the pitman arm where it attaches to the steering box ! I can't move it side to side.. but more of a front to back movement if that makes sense ! Its a new pitman arm ! My big wrenches are at the shop so I couldn't see if that big nut had come loose ! The tie rods are original in this truck ! It has 285,000 kms on it ! And it wanders like a mother F'er
 
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Old Mar 30, 2009 | 03:31 PM
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Ryan.. You HIGHJACKIN **** ! lol... I can get your paint at any given moment buddy ! I'll get a small can mixed and we'll spray it at the shop with a gun ! Get down here !
 
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Old Mar 30, 2009 | 04:20 PM
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Originally Posted by RussB
Chase.. I just went out a wiggled around some more..... I can actually move the pitman arm where it attaches to the steering box ! I can't move it side to side.. but more of a front to back movement if that makes sense ! Its a new pitman arm ! My big wrenches are at the shop so I couldn't see if that big nut had come loose ! The tie rods are original in this truck ! It has 285,000 kms on it ! And it wanders like a mother F'er
That doesn't sound good! The pitman arm slop could be most of your steering wander.
 
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Old Mar 30, 2009 | 04:55 PM
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Do yourself a favor...Replace ALL the tie-rod's at once and get it aligned soon after...I went through the road of replacing one...then two. winded up a waste and more in shipping costs! Did them all (the rest of 'em) not long ago and after a quality shop aligned her, I was blown away...felt like new (and it don't wander no more....ahhhhhh)
 
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Old Mar 30, 2009 | 05:41 PM
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Originally Posted by superduty4x4
That doesn't sound good! The pitman arm slop could be most of your steering wander.
Just went up the road to a buddies and looked at his truck which has had all new parts last week and his pitman arm has the same movement..... seems to be normal. if you get a second.. go and wiggle yours from front to back... not left to right and see if it moves at all ! I just put this pitman arm in with the lift ! Its a huge Procomp one ! I don't think it is bad !
 
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Old Mar 30, 2009 | 05:55 PM
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Originally Posted by RussB
Just went up the road to a buddies and looked at his truck which has had all new parts last week and his pitman arm has the same movement..... seems to be normal. if you get a second.. go and wiggle yours from front to back... not left to right and see if it moves at all ! I just put this pitman arm in with the lift ! Its a huge Procomp one ! I don't think it is bad !
Mine doesn't have any movement. All stock suspension/steering.
 
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Old Mar 30, 2009 | 06:24 PM
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Originally Posted by superduty4x4
Mine doesn't have any movement. All stock suspension/steering.
Just crawled under mine. Snug as a bug. No movement here also.

Also i am pricing tires, Fix/replace then get aligned like everyone is saying. Dang tires are going to be expensive as all heck.
 
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Old Mar 30, 2009 | 06:31 PM
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I had some serious slop in my steering - ended up replacing everything, including the track bar! Alignment after that by a shop (I did all the tie rods etc. myself so I'm sure anyone can) and she's NICE!!

As for tires: We just got 16"+ of snow out here and I was trying to sneak by, but the snow made it mandatory to get new shoes. I put on Hankook dynaPro ATM RF10's in 265/75R16. These are 'E' rated and have a nice look & aggressive tread. In-store at Discount Tires I was quoted $824. I did some internet shopping and I find Discount Tires Direct; their wholesale operation. The local store matched the wholesale tire price and I ended up getting out the door with new meats for $636.xx!!! And let me tell you, these tires are QUIET but man oh man do they grip!! Especially in sloppy stuff. I'd recommend them and they've gotten good reviews.
 
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