Tie Rod Failure

[HSpiering]

My son-in-law has 35K on his 06 truck. He just had a tie rod failure 2500 4x4 Diesel. The shop said the nut holding the rod in place just fell off. Sounded if things were in pretty bad shape. He just felt a little vibration and assumed he threw a wheel weight. Could have been real bad. That's pretty few miles to have this happen. I hope this is not a big problem. have not heard much about it.

 

[Wingate]

Has it had the steering update performed??? If so, this could be due to the installing dealership being careless.

 

[HSpiering]

It was one of the good ones that did not need a fix.

 

[SierraRam]

Not a common problem, the 08 T steering uprade is what is being done to improve the front steering strength and eliminate a lot of the bump steer that the older Y configuration had. The recal was about faulty Pitman arms if the upgrade was done.



Nuts falling off the tie rod is not something we hear about.

 

[Wingate]

Exactly!. If the threads were still on it, I would say that it has been left loose.

Cant remember, are they locking nuts? or do they use a castle nut and cotter pin?

 

[MLee]

There is a batch of 3rd gen trucks that is being recalled for the left tie rod breaking at the tie rod end. Nhtsa is in the middle of this now and some dealers might not know about this so check yours now. In a hard right turn if the joint is turned up tight against the stud, on the front, this is not how it should be, it should be on a level plain through full articulation of the streering movement. They also believe it might be inferior materials the stud is made from.

I read about this on another web site where it appered about six weeks ago. And has had some action here but not much.

 

[HSpiering]

MLee:



This could be it. I did not see the rod my self but I was told it was damage piece of junk that just fell apart. Did not ever hear about a recall for anything like that??

 

[MLee]

MLee:



This could be it. I did not see the rod my self but I was told it was damage piece of junk that just fell apart. Did not ever hear about a recall for anything like that??

The problem started early in the year, it breaks at a slow speed. In the current issue 74 TDR on page 63 & 64 TSBs and explanation of tie rods breaking as a heads up. As stated on the left side on 4x4's. I am looking for a picture I seen as I referred to above. When I find it i'll enter it and what it says.

 

[sag2]

Your first post says the nut fell off. Your last post says "damaged piece of junk" that just fell apart. Is the tie rod end intact and the threaded portion still there? It is very important to know what part is left, and if it is broken in half or not. If the nut fell off as you say it would have been a very unusual failure as they are a self locking nut. Also was there damage to the taper of the steering knuckle end?
Keen observations of the failed parts will generally tell a very clear story.

 

[Wingate]

Keen observations of the failed parts will generally tell a very clear story.

Very true, but all too often, the parts have been trashed... .

 

[HSpiering]

Ok. I had a chat with the kid to find out more what the tie rod looked like. The nut was still on. Everything was lose. The nut was not much help but it did keep the rod from falling out. There was 1 inch play up and down on the passenger side and ½ inch play on the drivers side. I was told the nut came right off and everything fell apart. He has spent about 20-30 week's over the past 5 years driving on back logging roads. This may add wear ro tie rods?? I think it is something to keep an eye on. As bad as it was, only the last week he felt a little vibration. Thinking he threw a wheel weight.

 

[HSpiering]

MLee:

I'm looking on page 73-74 issue 74 and not seeing what you mentioned.

 

[AEdelheit]

Its kinda funny, everyone talks craps about the old Y style steering but I never heard of one breaking and aside from the Toe change with travel it worked pretty well, I dont believe it caused DW like they thought or any other issues, not as strong but it would just get loose, not break

 

[MLee]

MLee:

I'm looking on page 73-74 issue 74 and not seeing what you mentioned.

Sorry for the confusion its 63 & 64, in TRDe-source section. my-bad

Also found an other article dated Jul 13 2011 announcing defects go back to 03 models and which models are effected. Just have get Chrysler to admit it. They tried to cut corners through a different design and now its costing them-again.

If you want to see the article, go to-this is what its called.

Chrysler announces Dodge Ram recall over faulty tie rods

 

[Wingate]

This may add wear ro tie rods?? I think it is something to keep an eye on. As bad as it was, only the last week he felt a little vibration. Thinking he through a wheel weight.

Those conditions will definitely speed up the wear process... but, its a 4x4 and thats what they are for!!. Oversized tires and different offset wheels can contribute as well...

May need to add suspension components to the "Every 5K mile" checklist!!

 

[AABEN]

The driver side on my 03 was bad and Dodge said it did not come under the recall. I had both side replaced with one that I can grease.

 

[MLee]

I found some picture

I found some pictures if your interseted on the problem they might be to large to post. But will see what I can do.

 

[MLee]

there was some captions with these but they did not appear. To getaway from the # 2 picture binding, loosen the two 15mm nuts and adjudt the rod just hair a past parallel then tighten the nuts back up. As in #3 photo. #4 boot removed, no wear apparent yet.

 

[MLee]

Chrysler announces recall on tie rods.

Sorry for the confusion its 63 & 64, in TRDe-source section. my-bad

Also found an other article dated Jul 13 2011 announcing defects go back to 03 models and which models are effected. Just have get Chrysler to admit it. They tried to cut corners through a different design and now its costing them-again.

If you want to see the article, go to-this is what its called.

Chrysler announces Dodge Ram recall over faulty tie rods

Just bringing this back to the top as it was a while ago that I memntioned it.

 

[MLee]

Go to post #14

This is where Chrysler announces the recall on the tie rods back in June 2011.