99 Steering Linkage on 2000

[jdross440]

I installed 99 T type linkage on my 2000 using all Moog parts. The problem I am having is when I turn hard left the right tie rod digs into the wheel. It has the factory 16" aluminum wheels. If I turn hard right the left one has plenty of clearance. Has anyone else had this problem?

 

[Joe Mc]

I seem to recall the wheels on a 99 are a bit different on the inners, set back is the same but there’s something about the rim that’s different. I picked up a set of wheels off an 01 from a yard and installed them so as not to chance anything happening to my aftermarket aluminum wheels when I had it painted. As soon as the swap (to the 01 wheels) was done I put in gear and there seemed to be a drag, like the e-brake was on. Then I remembered the difference in the wheels. I ended up having to grind down the tie-rod ends a bit to clearance the wheels (remembered reading this on the TDR some time back). Possible the reason why one side on your truck doesn’t clear and the other does = did you maintain the 8mm hub spacer that Dodge incorporated on, I believe, the right side? BTW I clearances the rod ends about 2 yrs ago and roughly 30k miles, all is well.

 

[jdross440]

If there was a spacer there it should still be there, unless shop took it off when changing ball joints. We bought truck new. I will get my grinder out and trim the tie rod. It is pretty close to boot so will have to take it loose so as not to cut boot.

 

[Joe Mc]

When I did mine before I started any grinding, with the wheel still on I marked a line on the end using the inside of the wheel as a guide to mark the end. I didn’t remove the end at all, was just real careful with the grinder. You could protect with several layers of duct tape or place a piece of flashing over the boot to give you a “stay away sacrificial” area and to let you know if you’re getting too close. Sometimes removing the end can damage things, why chance that, just be careful, mark area to remove and go slow. Might post up a few pictures for other folks future use. Sorry I neglected to do so, but I was on the way to the paint shop when I came across the dilemma.

 

[dblake]

Following. I have the steel wheels and considering this mod.

 

[jdross440]

I like the steering feel with this. When you go over uneven areas(typical roads) you don’t get the change in toe and feel like something is lose. With steel wheels you shouldn’t have a clearance problem. Aluminum are thick in the bead area.

 

[Joe Mc]

The boneyard 01 wheels I installed on my 99 were the steel wheels with slots, beauty rings and center caps. I restored them = removed original paint, etch primed and argent finish, they came out really nice. I might decide to sell them in the spring, not sure yet. Best alignment shop around can’t fit their equipment on my aluminum Eagle Alloys due to the lack of a “rim” on the outer edge = rounds down to the tire bead, it has been a while since I had a really good alignment done (last place that aligned used equipment that hangs over the top of the wheels (questionable as to accuracy of set up??) so I’m not sure about selling them? It’ll be a pain to swap 4 wheels out and then back just for an alignment, but worth it since I just got new Coopers. Decisions, decisions.... I’d like to pass them on to someone that would appreciate them but... ARGH!! What to do... the decisions in life.... LOL

 

[Joe Mc]

Sorry iPad locked up and double posted above...

 

[dblake]

Joe MC
I’d love to see a picture of your steel rims. I really want to ditch my trim rings and paint them flat black including my plastic center
caps.

 

[Joe Mc]

Here's one of the 4. I used Argent color wheel paint. In hindsight I should have clear epoxy coated after the color cured -->