Tie Rods.......?? Are they Adjustable.....or only Replaceable.....???

[Sourdough]

So, the tires went completely bald, down to the wire on the inside of the tread. Looking at the tires it is obvious the wheels are canted in, of course the tire at the bottom is splayed outward.

So, is this a tie rod issue......???

 

[Biggkidd]

NOPE

Sounds like ball joints or king pins. Generally speaking tie rods are fully adjustable to align the tires side to side. The ball joints or king pins keep the tires at a right angle to the road surface.

 

[Caribou]

Probably. You could need new tie rod ends or just adjustment. A bent tie rod means a new tie rod.

 

[zoomzoom]

I'd start by getting your alignment checked which I believe is the most common reason.
It could also be any number of worn out parts (ball joints, wheel bearings, tie rod ends...).
Is there any noises when driving? Banging when going over bumps, screaching?

On a related note, to get even wear across all 4 tires, I'd recommend rotating your tires every 5-10K miles (I do it at every oil change).

 

[UrbanHunter]

So, the tires went completely bald, down to the wire on the inside of the tread. Looking at the tires it is obvious the wheels are canted in, of course the tire at the bottom is splayed outward.

So, is this a tie rod issue......???

You definitely have an alignment problem, the tie rods are part of the problem, they adjustable length wise but if the tie rod end is a wear item and if they fail completely you will be on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck. You will need to have whole system checked; camber, caster, toe-in/toe-out all adjusted and any parts that are out of spec will need to be replaced.

 

[Sourdough]

if they fail completely you will be on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck.

That is the real reason for this thread. I need to make a decision as to risk driving it hundred plus miles to nearest town, or have it hauled in on a rollback. The rollback will be roughly $400'ish bucks.

 

[Sourdough]

Is there any noises when driving? Banging when going over bumps, screaching?

I have not driven (anything) in over a year. But I want to sell this truck and three others. This one is 99' F-350 Dully with a 12' bed and 57,509 miles.

 

[SheepDog]

The tie rods, in most suspensions , are used to adjust toe. The amount of the front of the tires point toward the center or out from the center of the cars track line.
What you seem to be describing is camber. That is how much the tires tilt in or out at the top. The caster is how much your tires turning center is rotated forward or back from vertical.
The three adjustments are interrelated in that changing one might change the others.
Most alignment shops will require decent tires to align the front end.

 

[SheepDog]

I don't know off the top of my head if your F 350 has "twin I-beam" suspension or not but if it does it is going to be costly to repair.

 

[Supervisor42]

I have not driven (anything) in over a year. But I want to sell this truck and three others. This one is 99' F-350 Dully with a 12' bed and 57,509 miles.

I thought you said you had "no vehicles"?

this refrigerator is about 20 or 22 years old. I am fine with turning it into a fish smoker. My real problem is I am roughly 115 miles from a place that sells refrigerators, And no vehicle. So, I just unplugged it, will see what happens.

 

[Sourdough]

Delete

 

[Weedygarden]

Obviously, something is not right. I don't have to go far for a mechanic, but I do trust the ones I go to. When I had a problem with my front end earlier this year, I took it in and they did an evaluation, a diagnostic for their clients, for a fee! I had driven under an overpass, into direct sunlight and couldn't see a pothole that I hit because of the sunlight in my eyes. Something was off. I needed new tie rods and a control arm. They told me how dangerous it could be to drive, especially with the bad control arm. I wouldn't try to drive it in, but I haven't driven your vehicle.

 

[Sourdough]

I thought you said you had "no vehicles"?

I have a Duce & Half not public road legal.

I have a 2001 F-350 Dully 12" flatbed 31,300 miles engine is trashed, it experienced a "Runaway" engine.

I have a 2005 GMC 5500 4X4 that does not run has 21,600 miles.

And the 99' described above.

That is four trucks. None that will go to Anchorage for purchasing a refrigerator.

And thank you for "inferring" that I am a liar.

 

[Sourdough]

I don't know off the top of my head if your F 350 has "twin I-beam" suspension or not but if it does it is going to be costly to repair.

It has a "solid" 4X4 axel.

 

[Sourdough]

I thought you said you had "no vehicles"?

I have not driven (anything) in over a year. But I want to sell this truck and three others. This one is 99' F-350 Dully with a 12' bed and 57,509 miles.

The reason I have not driven (anything) in over a year, is that I have macular degeneration (going blind) and consider it unsafe for myself or others to drive, unless an emergency.

 

[Biggkidd]

Ahh Knowing more about the truck helps A LOT!

For example it's possible you don't even have an issue, doubtful but possible. Let me explain why. If you have any kind of vehicle aligned with no load on it then drive it loaded down more often then not the tires will not wear true. Anytime we had work trucks that carry a load we had to align them with said load or approximated load or the tires would do what you're describing. Especially with a heavy bumper or front rack or winch. Depending on how and where a truck that size carries the HEAVY part of the load will decide how the tires wear if it's not aligned for that load. If the load is spread evenly putting the proper amount of weight on each tire then it's less of an issue. BUT if you tend to load the front or rear heavy with it aligned for no load or a different load weight balance things are out of alignment. This can also be an issue with side loads like a side bed crane. That type of stuff NEEDS to be in place before it's aligned or the alignment will not be true after it's mounted.

Hope you can understand what I'm trying to say here.

 

[Magus]

I have not driven (anything) in over a year. But I want to sell this truck and three others. This one is 99' F-350 Dully with a 12' bed and 57,509 miles.

Simple: tell the prospective buyer that you think the tie rods are shot and offer to knock off 150$

 

[Sourdough]

Simple: tell the prospective buyer that you think the tie rods are shot and offer to knock off 150$

Stuff does not sell here; I would have to haul everything to Anchorage where there are people. And put it on consignment.

 

[Magus]

Yikes! Don't you have a co-op newspaper or trader magazine there?
Our North Georgia trader has everything from trailers and campers to cars, guns, furniture and closeouts from failing stores!

BTW, here:
https://www.wikihow.com/Check-Tie-R... Tie Rod Ends ,it is on the car. The... More