Inspecting the Tie-Rod End

sb mm 33.04.001

Important: DOT roadside tie-rod assembly replacement criteria specifies that if tie-rod endplay is 1/8 inch (3 mm) or greater, measured on the road, the vehicle must be taken out of service immediately. If there is endplay, but it is less than 1/8 inch (3 mm), the vehicle does not have to be taken out of service but a major out-of-service inspection and maintenance must be scheduled as soon as possible.

  1. Check the tie-rod ends for looseness.
    1. Park the vehicle so that the front wheels are in the "straight ahead" position.
    2. Chock the front and rear tires.
    3. Remove dirt and grease from the seals or boots on the tie-rod ends. Visually inspect the tie-rod ends. Replace the tie-rod ends if the seals or boots are cracked, worn, or damaged.

      Important: Check the tie-rod endplay by hand. Do not use a pry bar. If a pry bar is used, the dial indicator will not read correctly.

        Note: For accurate readings, use a dial indicator with a "contour-type" base.
        1. Position the dial indicator so that the base of the indicator is on the bottom of the tie-rod arm. Place the tip of the indicator on the bottom of the tie-rod end at the center of the ball stud on the surface that is most flat, as shown in Fig..
        2. Set the dial indicator to zero.
        3. By hand, move the tie-rod end and the cross tube assembly up and down. If the dial indicator reads more than 0.060 inch (1.52 mm), replace the tie-rod end at once.
        4. Install the dial indicator as described above, and repeat this procedure on the opposite tie-rod end.
      1. Inspect the tie-rod ends.
        1. The threaded portion of the tie-rod end assembly must be inserted all the way into the cross-tube split, for adequate clamping. See Fig.. Replace the parts if this cannot be done. For instructions, see the axle manufacturer's service manual.

          Note: If the reading is more than 0.060 inch (1.52 mm) when moving the tie-rod end and cross tube assembly up and down, replace the tie-rod end.

          1. Tie-Rod End

          2. Dial Indicator with "Contour-Type" Base

          Fig. 1, Measuring Tie-Rod End Looseness

          Important: The tie-rod end threads must be visible throughout the entire length of the split.

          Note: Pinch bolt not shown to provide clarity.

          1. Cross-Tube Split

          Fig. 2, Tie-Rod End Adjustment

        2. Check the tie-rod end nut and clamp nut torques. For Detroit axles, see  for tie-rod end nut torque specifications and see  for tie-rod end clamp nut torque specifications.
          For Meritor axles, tighten the tie-rod end nut 100 lbf·ft (136 N·m), and tighten the clamp nut 40 to 55 lbf·ft (54 to 75 N·m).

        Table 3, Detroit Axle Tie-Rod End Nut

        Detroit Axle Tie-Rod End Nut

        Thread

        Torque: lbf·ft (N·m)

        5/8–16

        60 to 115 (81 to 156)

        5/8–18

        60 to 115 (81 to 156)

        3/4–16

        90 to 170 (122 to 230)

        7/8–14

        160 to 300 (217 to 407)

          Table 3, Detroit Axle Tie-Rod End Nut

          Table 4, Detroit Axle Tie-Rod End Clamp Nut

          Detroit Axle Tie-Rod End Clamp Nut

          Thread

          Torque: lbf·ft (N·m)

          1/2–13

          35 to 45 (47 to 61)

          5/8–11

          40 to 60 (54 to 81)

          5/8–18

          50 to 64 (73 to 87)

          3/4–10

          155 to 175 (210 to 237)

            Table 4, Detroit Axle Tie-Rod End Clamp Nut

          Note:
          Parent topic: Front Axle
          Document Number: 0000120568
          Manual Publication Date: 2025-01-08
          Topic Publication Date: 2024-11-18