2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Tie rod question

[TFabian]

I have a 96 4x4 2500. I noticed that there is a fair amount of deflection in the tie rod if you grab it in the center. How much flex should there be in the tie rod tube? I would have thought that the tube shoud be pretty stiff. Also, is the tie rod supposed to be straight end to end or does it have any bends in it. I don't have another 96 to compare to.



A friend has a 98 that has a heavier straight tie rod that is different than the one the is installed on mine. Been trying to diagnose a wandering problem on rough roads and I am beginning to think that the tie rod may be flexing causing this or that maybe it isn't supposed to have and bends.



Everything on the front end has been replaced in the last 8 months except the front springs, axle, tie rod and drag link. I have Luke's Link'd the tie rod ends as well as the track bar.

 

[JGheen]

If you Luke's Link'd the tie rod ends you should have beefed it up pretty good. The stock tie rods do have bends in the for clearing the axle "pumpkin. " They have a slight bend on each end so when you turn the wheel all the way left or right the tie rod won't hit the diff cover, clearance issue is the reaosn for the bends. Not sure what degree the bends are so you could verify that yours are not bend further than they should but being heat treated bends that they are they should not bend anymore than they are unless you get in some serious accident or something that would tweak the front end.

 

[TFabian]

The bends are not extreme, a slight bend on the passenger side and a little more pronounced in front of the differential. Thanks for the info. I wanted to check as the only other Ram I have to compare against is a 98 and the tie rod was straight on that one, but a different setup.

 

[JGheen]

Yeah, I want to custom make my own tie rod with hiems on either end, but need to do some measurements to make it fit right and make sure it will fit. I have seen pics of others with straight custom tie rods, but not sure if they did any mods to clear the axle housing. The bends on the stock tie rod are on the ends of it, about 4-6"(I think) from each ball joint. There are no bends in the middle anywhere, at least that is the way mine is.