Help identify this worn steering part.

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Oct 22, 2009 | 10:58 AM

tivoklr

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Help identify this worn steering part.

I have this occasional clunk when turning the steering wheel sharply and the truck likes to dart a little on the hwy at speed, and I'm thinking this is the culprit:

Sorry for the poor quality but I think it should be identifiable.

Here's the beauty herself:

Thanks!

Oct 22, 2009 | 11:03 AM

wolfsmurf

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looks like a inner tie rod end for the passenger side. it is hooked to the pittman arm.

Oct 22, 2009 | 11:08 AM

tivoklr

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And is this a challenge to fix?

Oct 22, 2009 | 11:14 AM

wolfsmurf

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well that is hard to say. if you can do a brake job you can prolly do this. you should use a special tool to remove the greasy end on your photo.you can rent the tie rod remover tools from the parts store and put it in yourself.. theres prolly a how to on the net somewhere on replacing those BUT you will need to get it re-aligned after to make sure you dont start eating up tires.

Oct 22, 2009 | 11:29 AM

tivoklr

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This is on the driver's side

I haven't done brakes but have done a lot of other work on cars/trucks/motorcycles/snowmobiles (have done moto brakes, but they're pretty damn simple), and I'm not afraid.

The truck probably needs an alignment anyway so I could have a shop do both simultaneously too. It is getting cold outside...

Disregard the post title, I reread the reply above and figured out that the worn part is on the driver's side but controls the passenger side steering.

Last edited by tivoklr; Oct 22, 2009 at 11:32 AM. Reason: b/c i'm stupid

Oct 22, 2009 | 11:40 AM

andym

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From: Bonita Springs FL

Have you jacked the front of the truck up and wiggled on those tie rod ends to see if they are loose? If those aren't the culprit there are quite a few front suspension parts than can cause the behavior you're talking about. Ball joints, axle pivot bushings, wheel bearings, and spring eye bushings can all cause that.

Oct 22, 2009 | 04:06 PM

tivoklr

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new bj's

I will do that, but I know the ball joints are new. Could be other things though...and that greasy nasty loose lookin' thing is just staring me in the face...

Thanks to all.