Should I wait to install Tierod & Draglink?

[GavinH]

My new tierod and draglink will be arriving tomorrow and I wanted to do it all while I have off for Thanksgiving but the last couple weeks I’ve been having the ball joint popping noises so I am planning on changing those out sooner than I thought. Should I just wait another month or two and do it all together or at least get my new TR and DL in for now? My main concern is messing them up when needing to remove for the BJ and new knuckles not so much doing the work twice. Thanks.

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[Mojave Dust]

If it were me, I'd do it all at once. Not likely that you will mess them up re-installing, but you are probably going to want to get an alignment after putting in the steering components, then you might need to do it again after the knuckles and ball joints. Just my opinion.

 

[limeade]

I would do it all at once. Yes, you'll need an alignment after installing new TR and DL, but you don't need one if only installing ball joints.

If you do the TR and DL first, at worst you may tear the TRE boots when you disconnect them from the knuckle. Order some spare boots for just in case and you'll be good to go.

When removing the TRE's, I try to not use a pickle fork cause you're pretty much guaranteed to tear the grease boot. You can use two hammers or small sledges, placing one opposite of the other and strike the knuckle where the TRE is. Do not strike the actual TRE if you're wanting to reuse that TRE. By striking the knuckle sharply a few times, the TRE may pop free without using a pickle fork.

 

[travis304]

Just did my ball joints. Still had OEM tie rods and drag link. Removing them was easy.

Soak overnight with PB Blaster. Get a dead blow hammer and tap the knuckles (don’t “wail on it” with a metal hammer like so many suggest).

Both will come right off. If they are worn out and your steering is shaky, no point in waiting. Just do it now. If they’re fine, then no risk in waiting, I suppose.

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