Glad I decided to go over the truck before giving it to my Daughter in two weeks. I just had new tires put on at Costcos and I`m pretty shocked they didn't see this.It could of been nasty if it separated on her on way to TN


Tie rod end is definitely on its way to separating..The top no longer lines up to the bottom and is actually pushed more towards the rim than centered and the boot is toast. Its like night and day comparing the drivers to the passengers. Truck just turned 100,000 miles not long ago and mildly driven. Never had any noise or even sloppy steering to indicate an issue..

My plan is to order the following from rock auto and get most of it replaced and the alignment done before she takes it. I`m going all moog parts
Inner and outer tie rods left and right side-may get new sleeves also since both sides are new.
Ball joints lower L&R
Control arms top L&R
Idler arm
End link kit for the sway bars since bushings are cracked..

Do I need to order the alignment cam bolt kits? Not sure if all this will throw it far enough off to need them...Any other things I should look for? Pitman arm was replaced about 2 yrs ago when I had a steering noise that was traced down to that. The rest of the front parts checked fine then

 

You don't need the cam kit, of just is needed to make it easier for them if it's a lifted truck. When you install all your parts just try to set them to where the parts your pullin off are at so you can somewhat set your alignment. It'll make the drive to the alignment shop a little easier.

 

Thanks for the reply. Read each way that you do or don't need the cam kit. I was planning on measuring the tie rods when they came off. Figured I would measure from center point of each tie rod end to the sleeve edge to keep them as close as possible as to the way they came off. Also mark the idler arm and pitman arm so the new ones go on in identical way the old came off. Should get me close enough to alignment before I head to the alignment shop after.

 

Well I got it all done last week finally. Took me a couple of hrs to do it all. Replaced inner and outer tie rods, upper control arms, lower ball joints, idler arm and pitman arm and end links with all new Moog ones. Borrowed the kit from local auto tore to press ball joints in and it was a breeze.Took the TRW pitman off and put a moog one on since it already had a little play..maybe defective part?? Measured everything coming off and matched it to new items going on ( Tie rods ). Got it to alignment shop and they said it was close to spec after my repairs. They got it in spec and all I paid out of pocket for parts and alignment was 400.30...Not bad....

 

Not bad for a whole new front end! If you would've taken it to a shop, that's what it would've cost you just for one set of ball joints to be done.