Took my truck in for an alignment and was told the tie rod end at the pitman arm was bad and needed replacement. Question is, should I replace the link or the link and bar? They wouldn't do an alignment because of that and also my top passenger side ball joint has play in it to where the camber can't be fixed?

Also, my truck has 216k miles and they recommended that I have the inner axle seals replaced. That would mean complete tear down of the axle and they also said to replace all ball joints at that time? I've already done all ball joints but can't remember when, maybe 100k miles ago.

 

Either go with the compleat 08.5 upgrade or just replace the tie rod end.
Camber is not adjustable on our trucks. Replace ball joint if it's out.
Are your axel seals leaking now? Never heard of replacing seals as a preventive maintenance.

 

Thanks for the reply. I might go the cheap route and get the tie rod end, not planning on keeping this more than a year. My axle seals aren't leaking the guy just recommended it if they were to do the ball joints cause the axle will be open and the mileage on the truck.

 

I'm not sure you can get a replacement tie rod end. I just replaced the passenger side (Outer tie rod) and the complete rod was only around $50 from Rock Auto. I bought both sides and they were about the same price. They were Moog units and high quality.

 

I just replace mine with a moog from advance auto, moog Part No ES3624

 

Does anyone know the country of origin for Moog replacement tre's? Anything on the box or stamped on the part?

 

Danderson,

I was discussing the tie rod issue with a shop owner that does the work on my vehicles (Wilson's Diesel Performance) specializing in Dodge Ram CTD's last week. He mentioned that the last three Moog tre parts that he has installed were actual Mopar parts in Moog labeled boxes. I do know that the new Cross Car or T steering linkage assemblies are manufactured in Mexico. So, it's plausible that the tre's are manufactured there as well.

 

So we're replacing troublesome Mopar w/Mopar?

 

I just did a complete front end rebuild; I didn't do axle seals, and my differential wasn't "apart" for the job either. I pulled the axles out, replaced the U-Joints, and put them back in. No problem. Now, I did do a front diff fluid change afterward, but it was unrelated.

Rob

 

Suppose so! But if it's any consolation, he facetiously mentioned that Moog parts are lifetime guaranteed!

 

Well I found time and crawled under the truck and with the wheels on the ground I tried to twist each tie rod. With some force, not a lot, every end had play. Maybe I'll just do the whole upgrade kit.

 

I realize this is an older thread, but have others had issues with '08 set up, in particular, the tie rod end at the pitman arm?

I'm getting ready to replace my third one since the upgrade.

 

Thuren offers a heim replacement. I've got his driver's side tre replacement.

 

I'll check that out.
It's as if the bolt bottoms out and doesn't seat the joint in the pitman completely.
Almost like it needs a washer or 2 BTW the bolt and pitman surface.
This one also looks like the joint edges rub the pitman.

 

The 08.5 upgrade folks are talking about, can this be bought as a kit with everything in it and if so, where?

I've not heard of this before and am nearing time for steering component rebuild.

Thanks,

TXPower