tomy
Registered Member
Is there a good write up anywhere on how to change tie rod ends? 
CK5
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Changing tie rod ends?
- Thread starter tomy
- Start date
jhellwig
1/2 ton status
Uhhh, what are you stuck on?
tomy
Registered Member
I haven't started yet. I just want to get an idea of what's involved to see if i want to try it myself. Also is there a recommended brand of tie rod end to buy?
jhellwig
1/2 ton status
I replace mine recently. Realy easy. Take of castle nuts. smack end with hammar till it pops out. Losen jam nuts and screw the end out. Might require a little sweetalking with a hammer to losen everything.
Just a tip, measure center to center of the end before you disasemble the tie rod. Then when you put in the new joints put them to the same measurements as your old ones. Your toe in should be very close to what it was before if you do it right. I would still get it aligned afterwords though.
As far as brands. Just use whatever you are willing to pay for. The man at napa told me that no matter how special they make them you aren't going to get any different preformance or life.
Just a tip, measure center to center of the end before you disasemble the tie rod. Then when you put in the new joints put them to the same measurements as your old ones. Your toe in should be very close to what it was before if you do it right. I would still get it aligned afterwords though.
As far as brands. Just use whatever you are willing to pay for. The man at napa told me that no matter how special they make them you aren't going to get any different preformance or life.
MudFrog
1/2 ton status
jhellwig said:
I disagree, a guy in my club snapped one in half, it was a cheap one from Auto Zone, I looked at it and laughed, I sold him a Moog tie rod end and it is much thicker and stronger. Probably the best OE Tie Rod end you can get. I'd say go with Moog.
paveslave
Registered Member
When I changed mine I popped the ends loose and measured the length from the center of one end to the center of the other end. Then I unscrewed the tie rod ends from the tie rods. I started the new ends a couple of threads (equal amount) then adjusted the tie rod to the same length as measured before center to center. I also had an alignment booked for the next day. There is a tool for removing tie rod ends (they have a tapered shaft and will usually come loose with a bang) or you can use an air hammer with a pickle fork (looks like a two pronged wedge).
Pat
Pat
jhellwig
1/2 ton status
If you are replacing the end then you don't need a pickle fork. If you ruin the treads it doesn't matter.
Mudfrog, what in the world did the guy do? That had to be one big hit to break the end. I am suprised that the ball joint didn't go.
Mudfrog, what in the world did the guy do? That had to be one big hit to break the end. I am suprised that the ball joint didn't go.
paveslave
Registered Member
Air hammer.......more power......ugh
jhellwig
1/2 ton status
Lazy 
paveslave
Registered Member
It's just easier.
paveslave
Registered Member
Work smarter not harder.
tomy
Registered Member
Thanks for the quick replies
Thanks for the quick replies. Which parts store usually carry Moog parts?
Thanks for the quick replies. Which parts store usually carry Moog parts?
SkulzNBonz
1/2 ton status
O'Reilly's, but be willing to shell some $$$$. I went to Napa and got their store brand for 1/2 price of Moogs, and just as good. Stay away from anything Autozone sells, it's all junk.
John
John
jhellwig
1/2 ton status
Auto zone has gotten very cheap latley. And the help is incompitent on top of that.
MudFrog
1/2 ton status
jhellwig said:
It was in a mud pit, it was in a bind and I figured the ball joint would have broke first as well but the stucture was built so poorly it snapped in half.
jhellwig
1/2 ton status
I guess you could look at it this way. At leased it was something cheap like a tie rod end insted of something expensive.
88jimmy4x4
1/2 ton status
I know this thread is old but...........advance auto sells Moog and they have free shipping over certain $$, ordered online and they shipped the same day.
gonna install mine this weekend using methods described above, hopefully the alignment will be okay.
gonna install mine this weekend using methods described above, hopefully the alignment will be okay.
Setting alignment on a straight axle truck is really easy, search my username and "alignment" or "toe" and you should find some info.
88jimmy4x4
1/2 ton status
Thank you very very much
From one of my previous replies;
Put a piece of tape in the middle of the tread on both front tires (lined up with the hub). Draw a vertical line in marker on each piece of tape. Measure the distance between the two marks. Now roll the truck forward or back until the pieces of tape are on the back side of the tires. Measure the distance between the two marks. The front measurement should be 1/16-1/8" smaller than the measurement on the back (i.e. tires toed in).
88jimmy4x4
1/2 ton status
installed them and aligned it just like you said, was very easy, drives great and saved me some $$.....thanks again
