2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission new tie rod hits front diff when turning

[brad k]

i got all napa inner and outer tie rods, and drag links today. measured them up to the old ones and installed. now when you turn it hard either direction the left inner hits the front of the diff cover. did i miss something????? i checked and rechecked part numbers and installed like the old ones came out.

 

[Road Dog]

On my stock '02 there's a little scuff mark where the tie rod touches the diff on hard turns. I assume it's normal.

 

[DIESELWRKS]

I would say no this is not normal double check your old one if you still have them on the size compared to new. this doesnt sound right at all. . even with the bigger 98-99 style they should not hit.

 

[wlowe]

My stock tie rod touches the diff cover when turned full left. I have about 1/4 inch clearance turned full right.

 

[brad k]

I installed the NAPA parts, realized they hit. Disassembled, and reassembled the old ones. There was maybe an eighth inch gap either way. Then called store to make sure i got the right parts, which i did, disassembled and laid out on the bench both sets. They measure identical. Guess I'm gonna run it this way, not sure what else to do

 

[SRath]

With the upgraded Moog T-style steering, mine would probably just barely touch or hit but my snowplow frame mount acts as a stop on hard lefts and keeps it just a hair off the diff cover. I never crank my steering to the pump-squealing limits anyway (always a bad idea) and have never noticed any problem from this; it still turns plenty tight.

 

[BSMcCauley]

I did the T-steering upgrade and found that I had to hold the left tie-rod with the ball-joint socket turned around the stud one direction before clamping down the adjuster sleeve so that the weight of the drag link & dampener couldn't sag the tie-rod assembly down where it would hit the front dif cover when turned to the lock.