Tie Rods

[JetBlack300c]

Ok someone give some info on 2005 early build 300c with this issue:

I took my car to my mechanic (I've known this guy for 20 years and I trust him, and I believe him) today to balance my tires and do an alignment as I have noticed that the left front tire is wearing abnormally on the outer edge.

well the right front tire was shot also in the inner edge.. and the alignment was almost dead on...

Carlos looked into the issue further and says that he believes that my rack and pinion steering tie rods are bad...

needless to say I am not happy that a car with under 50K miles has an issue like this, in addition these tires are only 6,000 miles old and I had to replace them today $500 I did not want to spend...

I remember reading a while back about something regarding the tie rods.. any help before I head to dealer on Tuesday would be great..

[bigjim]

The last time I spoke with the DCX folks on the hot line (September 2006), the inner tie rod ends were NOT available. They promised that they would be made available "soon" as more of us with cars out of warrenty were needing to change them. Under warrenty they change the entire rack ($700 for my suspension type at the time of the call), and perform an alignment. The ends are formed on the end of the tie rod itself, so I guess they would actually be the tie rod, not just the inner end as most of us would recognise. The tie rods are very easy to change, I took mine apart once to check them before calling the hot line. If you are under 50k get it all swapped out.
Jim

[marwady]

The last time I spoke with the DCX folks on the hot line (September 2006), the inner tie rod ends were NOT available. They promised that they would be made available "soon" as more of us with cars out of warrenty were needing to change them. Under warrenty they change the entire rack ($700 for my suspension type at the time of the call), and perform an alignment. The ends are formed on the end of the tie rod itself, so I guess they would actually be the tie rod, not just the inner end as most of us would recognise. The tie rods are very easy to change, I took mine apart once to check them before calling the hot line. If you are under 50k get it all swapped out.
Jim

In October '06, I bought an '05 R/T AWD demo with 6,500 miles on it. When I had it to the dealer to do the transfer case TSB, the tech noticed some anomolies with the tie rods and rack. Subsequently, they replaced the entire rack and re-aligned.

Would this be a re-engineered rack or just a replacement? I did not ask the dealer at the time.

Hopefully, this is not a hi-jack but it may add more info to this question by Mr. I.

[Higshemi]

I have a similar issue with my tires...(early build 05 Magnum) Front passanger is worn on the outter edge and my driver rear is worn on the inner edge. I'm getting new tires this week and will have them do an alignment and check the tie rods. Hopefully I can contribute something when all is said and done.

Fred

[formerice]

My dealer has replaced my rack twice for that problem. First time at 35,000 second at 75,000. The second time they asked me to call the factory rep to get an out of warrante approval. Both dealer and factory rep more than fair. I told them that I was going to drive the car a bazillion miles so they had better either have a better design or be prepared to fix it every time. If your dealer gives you crap, ask to talk to the family rep. Be sure to tell the rep that you belong to LX forums with over 10,000 members.

["show"]

Ok someone give some info on 2005 early build 300c with this issue:

I took my car to my mechanic (I've known this guy for 20 years and I trust him, and I believe him) today to balance my tires and do an alignment as I have noticed that the left front tire is wearing abnormally on the outer edge.

well the right front tire was shot also in the inner edge.. and the alignment was almost dead on...

Carlos looked into the issue further and says that he believes that my rack and pinion steering tie rods are bad...

needless to say I am not happy that a car with under 50K miles has an issue like this, in addition these tires are only 6,000 miles old and I had to replace them today $500 I did not want to spend...

I remember reading a while back about something regarding the tie rods.. any help before I head to dealer on Tuesday would be great..
i just got all 4 tie rods changed under warrenty also the rack and pinion.

[KOBY]

I have a similar issue with my tires...(early build 05 Magnum) Front passanger is worn on the outter edge and my driver rear is worn on the inner edge. I'm getting new tires this week and will have them do an alignment and check the tie rods. Hopefully I can contribute something when all is said and done.

Fred

That tells me your camber is out on those wheels!
Too much positive camber on the pass. front and too much negative camber on the rear.
Tie rods adjust toe in and out and would wear both front tires and show a choppy pattern of wear.
Uneaqual toe may wear both edges of the tires too but it needs to be way out!

Be sure to see the before and after adustment specs on your car. That will show the normal specs and how your car came in with an initial reading and how they fixed it and where it is set at now.
Get a print out if you can!

[Higshemi]

Thanks koby.... I was getting a choppy wear pattern on my tires before I had them rotated. Then I seem notice the wear pattern. I'll be sure to get a printout if possible. I just hope its not the rack and pinion system I need replacing.

[KOBY]

From what I know its that most inner tie rods are made by aftermarket companies and I guess they have not made ours yet. So because the dealer has no parts for it they have to replace the whole R&P unit.
I hate to tell you that worn tie rods will give you a choppy pattern!

[Higshemi]

Well, we'll just have to find out Wed. Hopefully they come out with a replacement tie rod by Tues. LOL!

[kevdupuis]

Do you also have a slight tendency to pull to the right " mine was only noticable on the highway". My dealership wound up shifting the front cradle and installing the camber kit to stop the R/F tire wear issue.

[Higshemi]

Well guys.... Hoisted the car in the air and found some play in the wheels so I had to only replace the outter tie rods thankfully. Inner tie rods were still in good shape. I also need to replace my passenger side control arm, theres a little play where it connects to the wheel part. This is causing a knocking sound goiing over small bumps thats driving me crazy. Didn't have time today to tackle so i will have to make an appointment at a later date.