I ordered the heavy duty steering parts from a 98/99 to go on my 97 Ram 2500 4x4. I ordered all Moog parts, based on recommendations from this very helpful page: http://www.mark74.com/ram_modifications.htm#crossover

If you notice in Mark's picture, http://www.mark74.com/Photos/IMG_7627-copy.jpg his tie rod which ties the front two wheels together at constant toe, includes a thick rubber washer and a large steel washer between the rod end and the knuckle.

It almost appears this washer would aid in preventing the tie rod from rolling over about the axis between the two knuckle rod ends. Is that the purpose of this thick washer, or is it simply to keep out dirt?

The tie rod I received has a standard boot, which will do nothing to prevent the tie rod from rocking back and forth as the drag link applies left and right steering to it.

Apparently Moog used to have the thick washer but now uses the standard rubber boot.

Do you guys have any tips or tricks to prevent the tie rod (98/99 style) from rolling back and forth as you turn the wheel between left and right?

I read on another forum, one member twists the knuckle tie rod ends in opposite directions before tightening the adjusting sleeve. His theory being that they will not bind because they only rotate in a single axis, and do not need to have full range of movement. He said this prevents the tie rod from rolling back and forth, and greatly reduces "dead zone" in the steering wheel. This seems like it would be alright as long as you left a small amount of wiggle room, and did not fully max out the rotation between the two spherical rod ends. Has anyone tried this?

 

All I can say is mine never had any issues just bolting it up, and it had the boot style.

Getting rid of the Y steering was the solution......