Replacing tie rods

  • HTML tutorial

Jeepmedic46

Rank V
Launch Member

Member II

2,741
Orange, Ma
First Name
William
Last Name
Domey
Member #

16961

When I had the alignment done on the 04 F150 they told me I needed new tie rods upper and lower. Should I change the right side as well to be on the safe side.
 

Dilldog

Rank V
Launch Member
Investor

Influencer I

2,358
Spokane, WA.
First Name
Dillon
Last Name
Wilke
Member #

20298

Ham/GMRS Callsign
KJ7LVO/ WRQL275
Service Branch
USAF
There are "upper and lower" ball joints, "inner and outer" tie rods. If they really said upper and lower tie rods, I'd get a second opinion.
Yeah, could have been a simple slip on the part of the service writer/ adviser you talked to, but yeah get some clarification. That said, its usually a good idea to both sides of suspension wear parts at the same time, if one side is gone, the other is quick on its heels typically. But if you intend to do the work yourself, just change what needs to be. That is typically how I do it, but I even do my own alignments...
 

Jeepmedic46

Rank V
Launch Member

Member II

2,741
Orange, Ma
First Name
William
Last Name
Domey
Member #

16961

Unfortunately I have to have someone else do the work because of the surgery I can’t lie on my back.
 

Boostpowered

Rank VI

Member III

4,879
Hunt county, TX, USA
First Name
Justin
Last Name
Davis
Member #

14684

Unfortunately I have to have someone else do the work because of the surgery I can’t lie on my back.
I usually sit on a bucket or the ground for suspension work, you need leverage and it not exactly safe . If back surgrey or something major then yeah you need someone else to do it likely you will injure or strain yourself applying said leverage.
 

Pathfinder I

1,685
Pacific Northwest
First Name
Steve
Last Name
Claggett
Service Branch
U. S. Army
Either tie rods or ball joints I would do both sides, they wear pretty much the same. Tie rod ends are very reasonably priced and not hard to change, ball joints are little more involved.