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Diagnose Tie Rod Linkage Failure on a Dodge Ram 1500: What to Look for

Probably one of the worst places in Phoenix to have steering problems -- perish the thought, to lose control -- is the intersection of 59th and Olive, right near Glendale Community College. It's already one of the worst stretches of, in this case, avenue in the greater metro.

Now, imagine it's your Dodge truck with bad steering -- with a shaky, loose, or vibrating steering wheel, being unable to speed up or turn the way it's supposed to. Recipe for disaster. This is what can happen when tie rod linkages wear out, get damaged, and come loose.

Tie Rods 101

It's because they're such critical parts of any steering system, say, Dodge Ram 1500 or otherwise -- ones that connect the steering wheel, the front suspension, the axle, and the wheels and tires, translating the steering wheel's motion into the wheels and tires turning the right way at the right speed. There's no sugarcoating it: without them, steering any vehicle, pickup or otherwise, would be impossible.

Thing is, even normal wear and tear day-to-day can cause tie rod failure -- something as simple as driving on rough roads, or even a minor fender-bender. And when they go, it's usually the tie rod ends. Luckily, there are symptoms that'll tell you that's what's happening.

Signs of Faulty Linkages

Other than the steering wheel, acceleration, and turning issues (which tell you that you've got a loose or damaged tie rod, most likely), look for:

Uneven tire wear, usually on one side

A misaligned front end (indicating a worn tie rod having become loose)

A knocking or clunking sound from the front of your ride, especially when turning at low speeds; this means your tie rods are probably loose, and rattling around

Grinding noises while steering (telling you the boot protecting the tie rod joint might be damaged, and that dirt and debris have gotten into it)

Tie rod failure's actually a known issue for your Dodge Ram 1500, too -- for models from 2006, 2007, and 2008, specifically. Usually, it's the left tie rod assembly, if not the pouter tie rod itself. If your truck's out of warranty, or you don't qualify for the NHTSA recall for some reason, you'll have to replace the rods yourself.

Fortunately, how to change one is relatively cut-and-dry; all you'll need is a tire iron, a few wrenches, ratchets and pliers, a jack and stands, a tie rod puller, a hammer (or a mallet), and a grease gun. If you're not sure what to do, though, get in touch with a Dodge dealer or an authorized Dodge service center; a tech will be glad to help out.

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