Can this be right? I have some play in the steering and I have been told to replace the tie rod end, the dealer wants $113.00 can this be right?

 

Sounds possible. Have someone turn the wheel a little each way and look under at the front end parts, you might see a lot of slop or loose nuts on the ends. $113 is a little high, try a moog dealer for the same.

 

moog dealer??

 

Tengu, go to any reputable auto parts store and you should have no problem finding Moog front end parts(Moog is the brand). The part# for the left hand side should be a ES3526, and for the right a DS1460. Hope this helps you out, cumminsboy.

 

Thanks cumminsboy,

NAPA had the part for less than half! Now I just gotta figure out how to put it on.

 

Make sure that you need a tie rod and not the track bar. My stearing started feeling real loose, like a bad tie rod, but it was the track bar.

Just have someone wiggle the stearing wheel and look to see whats happening down under...

 

Grizzly_Bear_69,
I did just that and my friend said that It looks like the tie-rod end on the pitman arm. It looks to me like that is indeed the only link in the system that has play in it. The thing that I am wondering though is that the amount of play in the tie-rod end on the pitman arm seems to be too small to account for the amount of play in the wheel. After doing more reading here I am wondering if I need to adjust the bearing preload. Any thoughts?

 

Tie rod ends are at the wheel. To check the pre-load and over-centre, watch the Pitman and turn the steering wheel.
A small change under the truck is a bigger change on the steering wheel.

 

O.k. if that is the case then I think I should try to adjust the bearing preload, and replace the tie-rod end on the pitman arm. Does anyone know where I can find good instructions on these procedures (ones with pictures)? also, are the tie rod ends that go on the wheels the same as the one on the pitman arm? I bought one but did not specify?

Thanks

 

Anyone........Helloooooooo......

are the tie rod ends that go on at the wheels the same as the one on the pitman arm? I bought one but did not specify?
A

 

I had very loose steering on my '99 truck. I first installed a "Lukes Link" on the trac bar that improved the steering very much, but not completely. I noticed that the steering box pitman arm shaft had a slight amount of play that could be seen when someone would "saw" the steering wheel back and forth when I watched the pitman arm. I installed the "Solid Steel" brace to support the steering shaft. This dramatically improved the steering. Also, it was EASY to install. I think I might be able to tighten up the steering a bit more if I adjust the back lash of the steering box.

In my opinion, all the diesel Dodge trucks will benifit this "Solid Steel" brace. Most will need the brace or a new steering box at some point. The weight of the engine combined with the steering system puts too much load on the steering box.

 

Not sure on the ends being the same, but know that opposite ends will be different threads so when you rotate the bar section it will grow or shorten for alignment. Not sure on your box. typically you loosen the locknut and turn in the center screw a little to tighten things up. I might hit up a manual or visit a good shop.

 

The tierod ends are different,left side outer is a shorty,pitman arm tie rod is a shorty but different from left side outer,right side is a long tie rod.When removing just count how many turns it takes to seperate from sleeve and install new one with the same amount of turns,then if it pulls to one side get front end alighment.

 

preload instructions> http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1997/19-10-97.htm