Aftermarket Tie Rods Causing Rack and Pinion Failure

[Ecoop]

I was running aftermarket tie rods, blew out 2 steering systems, try driving Out of the trail without power...not fun. Put oem back on before dealership. After the second time the service manager told me to leave it as is and see what happens - 25,000 miles later no problems, OEM.

 

[Deleted member 17706]

I was running aftermarket tie rods, blew out 2 steering systems, try driving Out of the trail without power...not fun. Put oem back on before dealership. After the second time the service manager told me to leave it as is and see what happens - 25,000 miles later no problems, OEM.

Were you running an entire aftermarket tire rod (inner and outer), or just an outer aftermarket tie rod end that used the OEM Ford inner tie rod?

 

[zombiekiller]

Were you running an entire aftermarket tire rod (inner and outer), or just an outer aftermarket tie rod end that used the OEM Ford inner tie rod?

betcha it was new inners and outers.

The lower steering shaft on my truck gave out before the rack. because 4Ds.

I've also seen the belt blow out ( there is one inside the rack), but haven't seen a rack failure if the OEM inners are retained.

 

[Ecoop]

Yep - Inners and outers, they replaced to whole epas system 2 times.

 

[Dozer466]

Yep - Inners and outers, they replaced to whole epas system 2 times.

Did it get covered under warranty both times?


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[PorterW1111]

Correct. Plenty of folks run aftermarket tie rods that are one piece that replaces the outer and inner. I’ve seen some GEN1’s not even run with inner boots. I personally trimmed my stock inner and its snug but not sealed. I have not had an issue. Aftermarket tie rods cause GEN1 racks to fail for another reason.

What other reason? i put full tie rods on mine and the PS went out not 3 days of driving later. could be coincidence or that i was out of alignment and toe driving on the highway...or just was the pumps time but this statement makes me wonder....?

 

[Ecoop]

Did it get covered under warranty both times?


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Yes, all covered. After front diff gernaded and replaced with warrantyy, he said they are going to have hard time covering future problems based on suspension upgraded.

 

[or2baja]

To the op, sorry to hear that and it sounds like total ******** to make something better and stronger just to have the dealer claim it's the aftermarket causing it. I personally come from desert bound diesel trucks so steering was the the weak point. My truck always had a full steering linkage setup for this types of issues. My recommendation is to buy new linkage, install them and take your aligned used/old links and toss them under the seat or in a chase box for a spare.