Some owners of a full-size 2007 pickup or utility (1500 only) may comment that the steering wheel is out of position (turned to the left or right) while driving straight ahead.
The threaded joint between the inner tie rod and the rack may have loosened. Although testing has shown it to be unlikely that the joint will unscrew (separate) during normal driving maneuvers, the steering wheel alignment may be affected.
If the steering wheel is turned to the left while driving straight ahead, remove the right hand steering gear convoluted boot clamps. After exposing the tie rod connection to the rack bar, use a paint pen or marker to place an indexing mark from the tie rod to the rack bar. Check the torque-to-tighten on the tie rod to rack bar attachment by applying 50 Nm torque in a clockwise direction. Do not exceed 50 Nm. The use of an appropriate sized crowfoot maybe necessary.
Refer to the Inner Tie Rod Replace service procedure document 1862697 for proper torque procedure, to prevent internal gear damage while checking the torque-to-tighten.
If the steering wheel is turned to the right while driving straight ahead, conduct the same analysis described above on the left hand tie rod.
1. Inspect the inner tie rod and the rack bar for a change in position of the index mark with respect to each other. If any position change is observed:
A. If the gear serial number has a 6 in the seventh digit position from the right
(i.e. TNR###6#####) replace both the left hand and the right hand inner tie rods. Install a new crimp clamp (p/n 11562064) to secure the boot to the steering gear. Reuse the spring clamp to secure the convoluted boots to the tie rods.
B. If the gear serial number has a 7 in the seventh digit position from the right
(i.e. TNR###7#####), replace the short gear.
TIP: In both cases, reuse the outer tie rod ends.
C. Align steering wheel and set toe.
2. If no relative motion is observed between the tie rod and the rack bar during the 50 Nm torque-to-tighten analysis, do not replace any steering components. Reattach the tie rod boot to the rack housing with a new crimp clamp (p/n 11562064). Align the steering wheel and set toe.
- Thanks to Jim Will and Steve Love
The threaded joint between the inner tie rod and the rack may have loosened. Although testing has shown it to be unlikely that the joint will unscrew (separate) during normal driving maneuvers, the steering wheel alignment may be affected.
If the steering wheel is turned to the left while driving straight ahead, remove the right hand steering gear convoluted boot clamps. After exposing the tie rod connection to the rack bar, use a paint pen or marker to place an indexing mark from the tie rod to the rack bar. Check the torque-to-tighten on the tie rod to rack bar attachment by applying 50 Nm torque in a clockwise direction. Do not exceed 50 Nm. The use of an appropriate sized crowfoot maybe necessary.
Refer to the Inner Tie Rod Replace service procedure document 1862697 for proper torque procedure, to prevent internal gear damage while checking the torque-to-tighten.
If the steering wheel is turned to the right while driving straight ahead, conduct the same analysis described above on the left hand tie rod.
1. Inspect the inner tie rod and the rack bar for a change in position of the index mark with respect to each other. If any position change is observed:
A. If the gear serial number has a 6 in the seventh digit position from the right
(i.e. TNR###6#####) replace both the left hand and the right hand inner tie rods. Install a new crimp clamp (p/n 11562064) to secure the boot to the steering gear. Reuse the spring clamp to secure the convoluted boots to the tie rods.
B. If the gear serial number has a 7 in the seventh digit position from the right
(i.e. TNR###7#####), replace the short gear.
TIP: In both cases, reuse the outer tie rod ends.
C. Align steering wheel and set toe.
2. If no relative motion is observed between the tie rod and the rack bar during the 50 Nm torque-to-tighten analysis, do not replace any steering components. Reattach the tie rod boot to the rack housing with a new crimp clamp (p/n 11562064). Align the steering wheel and set toe.
- Thanks to Jim Will and Steve Love
Leave a comment