Hit a stump!

[SFaulkingham]

To all -



I hit a tree stump with my truck (not intentionally!) that was about 2 ft high with the drivers side front tire. So, I look underneath my truck and find the following:



Bent "centerlink rod"? The rod between the pitman and idler.

2 rivets sheered off on the leaf spring front shackle.

CV joint looks like seals are blown.



It turns left, but barely turns right. I have never done any front end steering or suspension work; should I replace the pitman and "centerlink" rod? What kind of bolts (hardness / material) would work to replace the rivets on the front leaf spring shackle? I would like to get it fixed enough to drive home (about 70 miles) and fix the rest... should I replace the CV joint as well before driving? What else could possibly be screwed up?



I have a 1992 PowerRam 250 LE 4x4.



Any advice or help is appreciated. Truck is near Cuba, MO.



Shawn

 

[JLEONARD]

Have it towed home on a flat bed style truck and fix it right once is my opinion.

 

[Tippin Spotted Cow]

When in doubt, I always go with grade 8 stainless steel bolts... especially on vital things like suspension and steering components. Better safe than sorry, correct?



The tie rod center link is a "non-wear" item and you won't find one at the parts store. You'll either have to get one from the Dodge dealership for about $200, or find one in a scrapyard. Probably a good idea to get new tie rod ends while you're at it. The odds of you being able to get the old tie rod ends out without a torch is slim to none... then you can screw around with those for however long, only to realize their worn and you have to replace them anyway.



Just thinking through what an impact like that could do to a truck, I'd check the following:



Draglink - bent, ends worn or cracked

Pitman arm - bent

Steering gear box - pitman arm shaft bent, seal blown, casing cracked

Steering gear mount - plate or frame cracked around steering gear

Leaf springs & mounts - cracks, bends, etc



You say the cv joint is messed up, I'd check your transfer case for cracks, along with the transmission, and transmission mounts. If they're ok, I'd just pull the front driveshaft to get it home. If there is a crack, but it's only a small leak, I'd limp it home, making sure to keep checking and filling the fluid as needed.



Check your differential cover to see if it's dented. If it is, MAKE SURE the hubs are not locked and the front diff is not spinning to prevent further damage. Check that your oil pan hasn't been damaged.



From there I think you should be ok to limp it home. Main thing is to get the steering back in order... you don't wanna limp it with steering issues.

 

[PToombs]

Always go grade 5 fasteners on body, frame, and hitch mounts. Grade 5 stretches in an impact, grade 8 shears.

On that note, I use 8's because they are free for me, and you should use what you have available.

 

[mweiman]

I may have some parts off of a 92 if you need them. I am in west central IL. Send me a pm if I can help.

 

[SFaulkingham]

Upon further inspection, the drag link looks ok, however there is some play in the ball joints, which I am assuming is fine. Steering gear box looks fine... at least no seals broken. I can turn the tires with the truck running... just turning right is the issue. Centerlink is fine... did not check the tie rod ends. not sure about the pitman arm... will replace regardless and realign. I will have to check the gear as well. I may just have it towed back home... it seems as though even if I replace some of these parts, I may have something else wrong I can't see... oh well. I will let you know what I find! Thanks for everyone's input... I am heading out tomorrow to do what I can.

 

[therabbittree]

"Ball Joints". . we have king pins. . unless your talking about the tie rod / steering drag link ends and referring to them as ball joints?... .