2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Anyone rebuilt tie rod setup with Luke's Link ?

[DBazley]

To all:



I get the feeling the ball joints in the entire pitman arm to tie rod steering link is getting worn.



Recently a funny rattle / popping sound on some rough pavement that is felt as well as heard through the steering wheel has cropped up. If you stop the truck and grasp the tie rod and wiggle it a bit, the rattle / popping noise disappears for a while.



On my '97 4 wd the tie rod set up is the 'inverted y design', which would require 4 Luke's links to rebuild. I was hoping for feed back from anyone who's done this to rebuild their tie rod / steering set up.



I did use Luke's link to rebuild the ball joint on the track bar, and it worked like a charm - maybe here, too ?



I've also read a thread from some of you showing how to convert the 'inverted y' tie rod to the "T design" tie rod set up, I think using new Moog parts.



Any thoughts or experiences you might have had on the relative advantages of either course, 1 - rebuilding tie rod using Luke's Links, or 2-converting to the 'T design' using all new (Moog) parts would be very much appreciated !





Merrry Christmas to one & all !



David in Anza, CA



PS: I've already rebuilt much of the front end: DSS, Rancho Control Arms (2" lift), Borgeson steering shaft, Poly sway bar bushings, etc.



The rig has 147 k miles, and it does have the 19. 5's Load Range G's (14 ply) - pretty heavy tires

 

[TRCM]

read this, it may help you out.



http://ramchargercentral.com/index.php?action=howtoshow;id=79

 

[McLaughlin]

Check out this link Steering Woes. I recently rebuilt all the tie rod ends with Luke's Links. They sure didn't hurt any. The Luke's Links change was made after a 3rd Gen trackbar and a DSS so the improvement wasn't as much as I originally expected; however, my tie rod ends didn't seem to be as bad as yours sound. I can't really talk to the T setup but I'm pretty happy with the steering on my truck so I personally would keep the setup I currently have since I can rebuild the Luke's Links in the future where I couldn't have with the Moogs.

 

[DBazley]

McLaughlin, that's good to hear about your use of the Links to rebuild the tie rod assembly. Did you have any difficutly getting it done, and was re-alignment necessary afterwards ? I thought I read that thread, but I'll go over it again.



TRCM I'll check out the link you sent too. Thanks to you both... .



DB

 

[Coalsmoke]

I rebuilt all five joints on my ram with lukes and am impressed with the long term durability and strength. No worries here, and its nice not having parts to worry about. I give it a 10 out of 10, and if I ever get another truck, the lukes links will be at the top of the list of "right off the bat" modifications.

 

[McLaughlin]

McLaughlin, that's good to hear about your use of the Links to rebuild the tie rod assembly. Did you have any difficutly getting it done, and was re-alignment necessary afterwards ? I thought I read that thread, but I'll go over it again.



TRCM I'll check out the link you sent too. Thanks to you both... .



DB

I noticed you've already put one on the track bar, so I'll save you the details. But to answer your question the Luke's Links install wasn't very difficult since I was pretty well set up for tools. Biggest problem I had was holding the various bars while grinding off the back side of the ball joints so I could remove the studs. I tried to use a 12 ton press to hold and then remove the stud but ended up buying a vice at Harbor Freight(another excuse to buy a tool ) which made it much easier. The instructions are pretty good and I just used the cap as I was grinding to make sure I wasn't taking to much off by grinding a little and then checking if the cap would slide over the edge of the tie rod end. About the time the cap just slides over the tie rod end, you'll see the outline of the plug mentioned in the instruction manual The other most difficult thing was holding the urthane spacer when I had to remove some of the excess height since it kept squishing up. Finally found a bolt which it fit on snuggly and then it was easy to remove the excess. I used the same grinder to remove the excess urthane and grind the back of the tie rod ends. NOTE TO SELF: If you use a grinder to resize the urthane space just remember the stuff that comes off and looks like bubble gum sticks to your fingers when touched and really HOT.



I haven't got the truck realigned yet but intend to since it pulls a bit to the right. Just before I put the Luke's Links in, I installed a 3rd gen track bar and had to pull the axle about 3/4 of an inch to the left so and I know for sure the truck pulled to one side afterwards. I've held off on the realignment since I'm going to replace/repair the ball joints next week and figrued to do the alignment once. I also haven't put any long trips on the truck since the work or I would have done the alignment earlier.

 

[DBazley]

Thanks to you both for the details on your replacement job. I'll do the checking that was suggested on my other thread about 'checking for ball joint wear' to veryify that it is indeed the steering links.



I kind of suspect it cause:



1- It's felt through the steering wheel, not the floor or pedals.

2- I've had 19. 5's on now for 50 k miles, truck has near 150 k

3- I just put on new, heavier 19. 5's and then after a 4000 mile trip, the noise starts up louder and more pronounced that it was earlier - very faint and occassional before now.



Only one questions occurs - when the wear happens to the tie rod ball joints, what part wears ? I ask because the Luke's link is still re-using, and dependant upon the integrity of the ball / stud piece. If that is compromised by wear, can the Luke's link make up for it ?



Thoughts or ideas ? Much appreciate as always,



Merry Christmas to all !



David

 

[McLaughlin]

Thanks to you both for the details on your replacement job. I'll do the checking that was suggested on my other thread about 'checking for ball joint wear' to veryify that it is indeed the steering links.



I kind of suspect it cause:



1- It's felt through the steering wheel, not the floor or pedals.

2- I've had 19. 5's on now for 50 k miles, truck has near 150 k

3- I just put on new, heavier 19. 5's and then after a 4000 mile trip, the noise starts up louder and more pronounced that it was earlier - very faint and occassional before now.



Only one questions occurs - when the wear happens to the tie rod ball joints, what part wears ? I ask because the Luke's link is still re-using, and dependant upon the integrity of the ball / stud piece. If that is compromised by wear, can the Luke's link make up for it ?



Thoughts or ideas ? Much appreciate as always,



Merry Christmas to all !



David

Posted an answer in your other thread. Happy Holidays.