Dana 60 Tie rod movement

Redpower · Feb 17, 2014

I have always felt like the steering on my F350 has felt loose and finally got around to looking at it yesterday. Had the wife turn the wheel left and right while the truck was on the ground looking for movement at the tie rods. I found that the tie rods don't move, but rotate up and down as I turn the wheel left and right. Do the ends need to be replaced? Attached is a short bad quality video to try and show it. (I was moving them back and forth while shooting the video)

OBS-Addiction97 · Feb 17, 2014

This is very common. What I did was turn each tie rod end to the opposite direction, they are basically locked out against the knuckle. Some say its bad for them but I haven't had a issue yet.

m j · Feb 18, 2014

normal for a ball to be able to rotate

JCart · Feb 18, 2014

OBS-Addiction97 said:
This is very common. What I did was turn each tie rod end to the opposite direction, they are basically locked out against the knuckle. Some say its bad for them but I haven't had a issue yet.

Same here ^^^ but leave a little rotational play.

superduty4x4 · Feb 18, 2014

Redpower said:
I have always felt like the steering on my F350 has felt loose and finally got around to looking at it yesterday. Had the wife turn the wheel left and right while the truck was on the ground looking for movement at the tie rods. I found that the tie rods don't move, but rotate up and down as I turn the wheel left and right. Do the ends need to be replaced? Attached is a short bad quality video to try and show it. (I was moving them back and forth while shooting the video)

As was said, it's common as they wear and not much to be worried about. Keeping them greased up seems to help some.

OBS-Addiction97 said:
This is very common. What I did was turn each tie rod end to the opposite direction, they are basically locked out against the knuckle. Some say its bad for them but I haven't had a issue yet.

I'm not following what you are saying...

Redpower · Feb 18, 2014

superduty4x4 said:
As was said, it's common as they wear and not much to be worried about. Keeping them greased up seems to help some.

I'm not following what you are saying...

You think replacing the ends would help at all, or is it just a waste of time/ money?

OBS-Addiction97 · Feb 18, 2014

Redpower said:
You think replacing the ends would help at all, or is it just a waste of time/ money?

Mine did it when I swapped in my d60. Every last tie rod was brand new

m j · Feb 18, 2014

it is a ball and socket, it is supposed to be able to move in every direction

Harlan@Outlaw_Diesel · Feb 18, 2014

As long as the is no in and out play I would say its fine.

superduty4x4 · Feb 19, 2014

Redpower said:
You think replacing the ends would help at all, or is it just a waste of time/ money?

I think that all it would do is reduce the noise, unless your tie rod ends are already worn out. If the truck still drives OK and there isn't a ton of slop in the tie rod ends, I'd make sure they are greased up and leave 'em alone.