tie rod failure, now replacement?

[pullya]

I installed the "upgraded steering kit" about 9 months ago. About a month ago my driver's side tie rod end also broke in the same location as extrachoppy. I called Dodge and complained about their "new and improved" steering kit. They told me to furnish them with a written statement and the receipt for the new steering kit and they would pay for the cost of the part. The new part I installed had a part number ending in "AF". This is a new part number--the old one was "AE". I'm not sure what the difference in the two is?????

Jay

 

[Regcabguy]

Sounds like a good opportunity for someone to manufacture a stronger driver's side tie rod end. Carli,Thuren? That's the only component that seems to be breaking if it breaks.

 

[Bulldog80]

pullya, where's it stamped at? I can't see any stampings in mine other than "mexico".



Dodge customer service told me that they wouldn't pay for the repair or the part. It's been over 12 months and that's as long as they warranty their parts. The whole dam thing concerns me. I'd like to make sure it doesn't happen again.

 

[Bob4x4]

So are you guys saying you have had breakage with the AE version?



The only difference I can see on the AF is there is a clamp on guide to keep the adjusting sleeve clamps at there preferred angle. Of course there could be more than meets the eye.

If you guys have broken the AE versions I would suggest letting the NHSTA in on it. When they get enough reponses they will investigate

 

[Bulldog80]

Yes thats what mine was Bob. I'll look into reporting it. Any other suggestions on things to look for? I'd like to avoid another problem

 

[pullya]

Mine also was the "AE" version that broke. I was pulling out of a parking space and heard a pop. Checked the front end and one wheel was pointing one direction and the other wheel was pointing the other direction. I also am glad I wasn't driving on the highway at speed!!!!!! I could not find a stamp on the part that broke, but I still have a copy of the receipt that shows the part numbers. I don't know why they offered to pay for the part, but they did----NOTE: the guy I talked to even spoke perfect English and I could understand him

Jay

 

[JoshuaCummins]

Sorry for resurrecting this thread again, but I had a similar issue with my upgraded steering this week, while on vacation.
I was pulling out of the driveway and POP... tie rod end stud that connects to the pitman arm sheared in half. Same thoughts as the others had -- glad I wasn't going at a high speed down the road.
I'm disappointed now that I already lost one of the greaseable rod ends, and the Dodge dealer replaced with a standard end.
On that note, can anyone snap a few pics of their steering setup with the upgraded links, either from Source or Dodge directly, please. I'm curious as to the angle of this newly replaced end on the pitman arm. I'm going to snap some pics on my end as well.

 

[ddivinia]

I just got a terminal diagnosis on all my tie rod ends. Is this Dodge upgrade kit available for the 2005? Or is it just for later models?

My tie rods were shot in my 2005. They swapped it all for the new setup under warranty. The old parts are not available in the Dodge parts system any more.



D.

 

[Bulldog80]

Don't be sorry for resurrecting it. This is an unresolved issue. As far as I'm concerned there are defective tie rod ends out there or a geometry problem that needs corrected. This doesn't happen unless one of those two things happen.

 

[EDankievitch]

I'd like to see the Tie rods that failed and whee they failed. I'm wondering if they were not installed correctly, Over or under tourqued? If too lose then the stud will be allowed to walk and score the taper and it will fail. I've seen this many times on propeller shafts and you'd be suprised how large in Dia the shafts were that failed over 10" in Dia. If the stud was over tourqued the it failed by being over streched.

 

[amsoilman]

I'd like to see the Tie rods that failed and whee they failed. I'm wondering if they were not installed correctly, Over or under tourqued? If too lose then the stud will be allowed to walk and score the taper and it will fail. I've seen this many times on propeller shafts and you'd be suprised how large in Dia the shafts were that failed over 10" in Dia. If the stud was over tourqued the it failed by being over streched.

I have seen failed/broken tie rods on several trucks, but the outer U-JOINTS were aslo frozen, which I think is the cause of the failed/broken tie rods, due to the stress that is put on the tie rods due to the U-JOINTS not turning freely.

 

[MAshley]

Well I’m glad this thread is open and has been started up again.



Im at 95,000 miles and my tires are shot…. So new tires are coming and I’m planning on checking the unit bearings, kingpins, and alignment seeing as tires aren’t cheap. So having an idea if replacing the ends are worth the trouble or if I should just replace if needed. And having the whole story to start with is nice.



So as I see it my options are



Moog ends

08 steering upgrade



Am I missing something

 

[JApol]

If you get the 08 steering kit from source automotive you will get greasable ends. Dodge does not offer greasable assembly.

Or are you talking moog ball joints?

 

[mpaulson]

Turned into my subdivision today and bag, I was out of control. Now to get the parts and fix mine!!! I do believe that I have the upgraded dodge set already! wish there was something better out there.

 

[JoshuaCummins]

Like you, I was lucky I wasn't going very fast (pulling out of driveway) at the time.

Just last week I had Dynatrac ProSteer Ball Joints installed, along with new u-joints in the axle. At this point I've got the entire front end with upgraded parts.
Finally feeling pretty tight with no vague steering... just need an alignment again now.

Good luck.

 

[Blakers]

I installed the "upgraded steering kit" about 9 months ago. About a month ago my driver's side tie rod end also broke in the same location as extrachoppy. I called Dodge and complained about their "new and improved" steering kit. They told me to furnish them with a written statement and the receipt for the new steering kit and they would pay for the cost of the part. The new part I installed had a part number ending in "AF". This is a new part number--the old one was "AE". I'm not sure what the difference in the two is?????

Jay

DODGE RAM 03 To 2010 2500 & 3500 Steering Upgrade Kit PN PK362AF shows there is now a new part number:



52122362AG

 

[Regcabguy]

Dodge is going to run out of letters pretty soon. :{

 

[SWithrow]

part# 52122362AG is $252. 00 at https://www.dodgeparts.com/oe_parts_catalog.html<O</O

 

[Superdawg]

I have the upgraded steering linkage and I drilled out the stock tie rod ends and put zerks in. I have noticed when doing front end work that the tie rod ends at each wheel seem abnormally tight, even after 2 years or so. Makes me wonder if the tightness contributes to the failure of the end after a period of time. I have recently replaced both drag link ends already due to slop.

 

[rbattelle]

I just had a tie rod failure on my 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Diesel!

Bonito, I was just wondering how frequently you greased the originals?



-Ryan