Outer tie rod

[Nelsonmd]

Steering rack failure I think you will pretty readily notice, stiff steering, whining, especially while steering, or a puddle of steering fluid under your car when you park it. Very loose or unstable steering is another symptom, but I suspect that if your loose steering is caused by the rack, then you will also have a leak. A leak is really the big sign of failure.

If you have what feel like shaky or unstable steering, I would look hard elsewhere, like the TRE's, LBJ's, and suspension.

I replaced only the rack, because I had already replaced everything else, and it was about $350 fora rack from Napa. I also paid about $150 for a high pressure line (which is already rusted to hell, don't buy it from oreilley's). Probably a few more bucks for some random items, but that was the parts cost.

 

[Myrunr2010]

Steering rack failure I think you will pretty readily notice, stiff steering, whining, especially while steering, or a puddle of steering fluid under your car when you park it. Very loose or unstable steering is another symptom, but I suspect that if your loose steering is caused by the rack, then you will also have a leak. A leak is really the big sign of failure.

If you have what feel like shaky or unstable steering, I would look hard elsewhere, like the TRE's, LBJ's, and suspension.

I replaced only the rack, because I had already replaced everything else, and it was about $350 fora rack from Napa. I also paid about $150 for a high pressure line (which is already rusted to hell, don't buy it from oreilley's). Probably a few more bucks for some random items, but that was the parts cost.

Well, not having any of those symptoms, not yet atleast. I'm hoping that doing my lbj's will get rid of the highway vibrations I get, we'll see though, supposed to get it aligned tomorrow.

 

[poleclimber63]

Well, not having any of those symptoms, not yet atleast. I'm hoping that doing my lbj's will get rid of the highway vibrations I get, we'll see though, supposed to get it aligned tomorrow.

LBJ's are the most immediate safety concern (I've seen 2 threads on this site that graphically shows what happens), but from your description, maybe your ITRE's could be worn... when you take it in tomorrow, the alignment shop should be able to tell you if anything is obviously worn.
Good luck!

 

[best4x4xfar]

I just replaced my ITR, boot, and OTRE on the passenger side about a week ago because I had a puncture in the boot allowing water and debris to enter the rack/ITR. My Inner Tie Rod was completely destroyed meaning there was no grease in the joint and it was completely covered in New Jersey rust.
Being that it was in the worst possible shape, I felt a knock when driving off-road or over potholes. There was slight play in my steering, but nothing to cry about. I find it hard to believe that it could EVER fail. I drove it like that for a few months over plenty of Colorado rocks weekly and can not imagine it breaking. I would not worry about replacing it now seeing that I paid $120 for the OEM part.

 

[Myrunr2010]

LBJ's are the most immediate safety concern (I've seen 2 threads on this site that graphically shows what happens), but from your description, maybe your ITRE's could be worn... when you take it in tomorrow, the alignment shop should be able to tell you if anything is obviously worn.
Good luck!

I'm just worried that the shop is gonna say that they can't do it because something is worn too far. We'll see come 2pm though.

 

[Myrunr2010]

Being that it was in the worst possible shape, I felt a knock when driving off-road or over potholes. There was slight play in my steering, but nothing to cry about. I find it hard to believe that it could EVER fail. I drove it like that for a few months over plenty of Colorado rocks weekly and can not imagine it breaking. I would not worry about replacing it now seeing that I paid $120 for the OEM part.

Well, that was kind of my thought too. I'd like to just wait until I do my lift and replace them then. I can't justify spending the extra money right now, but I don't wanna have to do extra alignments if I can, I'd like to bulk all those together.

 

[Nelsonmd]

Well, not having any of those symptoms, not yet atleast. I'm hoping that doing my lbj's will get rid of the highway vibrations I get, we'll see though, supposed to get it aligned tomorrow.

If it's just highway vibrations, then I would much more suspect something else, like LBJ's or suspension. I had the same exact problem and it was almost entirely the suspension.

 

[Myrunr2010]

They balanced it with no issue. Didn't mention the inner tie rods being spent or anything. With the LBJ's and outer tie rods replaced, I've still got a highway vibration. Grrrr

 

[Myrunr2010]

If it's just highway vibrations, then I would much more suspect something else, like LBJ's or suspension. I had the same exact problem and it was almost entirely the suspension.

What else could be causing it in the suspension? I've balanced the front tires and replaced the sway bar end links and the bushings at the frame, the lbj's and the outer tie rods.