Tie Rod

[CdnHO]

On a 2021 3500 is the tie rod adjustment collar right hand (normal) or left hand thread. Or to put it another way does the top of the adjustment collar need to be turned forward or back to increase the length of the tie rod. The threads are so fine I can't tell. I have a bit of toe in wear after 14,000 miles and want to lengthen the tie rod to bring the toe out some.

 

[ShowKiller1]

Not sure which way it turns to lengthen it. I will add this though. I use this handy little tool when i set the toe on my Jeep.

MetalCloak DIY Steering/Toe Alignment Kit

Stop taking your vehicle to the alignment shop after every steering modification or off-roading adventure; get accurate readings when setting your toe alignment on your vehicle with a MetalCloak Toe Alignment Tool. Features Include: 25" L x 4" H x 2” W Quickly & Easily Aligns Toe Fits Most...

metalcloak.com

 

[jetrinka]

Mark the sleeve in relation to both parts of the tie rod with a paint marker and start turning it - see which direction it takes for "new" thread to start appearing.

That being said I'd just take it in and have it aligned. Without anything to reference (either machine or some sort of alignment plates) you have no idea if you are doing more harm than good. Rams are notorious for horrible alignments from the factory.

 

[CdnHO]

Mark the sleeve in relation to both parts of the tie rod with a paint marker and start turning it - see which direction it takes for "new" thread to start appearing.

That being said I'd just take it in and have it aligned. Without anything to reference (either machine or some sort of alignment plates) you have no idea if you are doing more harm than good. Rams are notorious for horrible alignments from the factory.

Unfortunately some dealers are just as bad. I figure I only need a tiny bit of adjustment. A quarter turn. It handles and tracks just fine. Only issue is the slight toe in wear on the tires.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

Not sure which way it turns to lengthen it. I will add this though. I use this handy little tool when i set the toe on my Jeep.

MetalCloak DIY Steering/Toe Alignment Kit

Stop taking your vehicle to the alignment shop after every steering modification or off-roading adventure; get accurate readings when setting your toe alignment on your vehicle with a MetalCloak Toe Alignment Tool. Features Include: 25" L x 4" H x 2” W Quickly & Easily Aligns Toe Fits Most...

metalcloak.com

I use a tool like this except made by tmr I believe. Hook up Two tape measures and set it how you want it.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

Mark the sleeve in relation to both parts of the tie rod with a paint marker and start turning it - see which direction it takes for "new" thread to start appearing.

That being said I'd just take it in and have it aligned. Without anything to reference (either machine or some sort of alignment plates) you have no idea if you are doing more harm than good. Rams are notorious for horrible alignments from the factory.

I disagree. I do 100% my own alignments in my driveway. Ram/jeep/Porsche doesn’t matter. I am too particular for someone else to mess with it and get it wrong

 

[jetrinka]

I disagree. I do 100% my own alignments in my driveway. Ram/jeep/Porsche doesn’t matter. I am too particular for someone else to mess with it and get it wrong

But I’m assuming you also have the proper equipment to do this. The OP is just wanting to lengthen the tie rod on a whim without so much as a tape measure (if I’m understanding correctly…)

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

But I’m assuming you also have the proper equipment to do this. The OP is just wanting to lengthen the tie rod on a whim without so much as a tape measure (if I’m understanding correctly…)

Tape measure and a digital angle finder :groovy:

I built a jig to do my Porsche but it was still based on using a tape measure. The jig just referenced the wheel for me

 

[jetrinka]

Tape measure and a digital angle finder :groovy:

I built a jig to do my Porsche but it was still based on using a tape measure. The jig just referenced the wheel for me

Thats the thing - you need a good reference of the wheel otherwise you have no idea what you're doing. Measuring sidewall to sidewall with a tape measure will get you home but it won't wear tires well.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

Thats the thing - you need a good reference of the wheel otherwise you have no idea what you're doing. Measuring sidewall to sidewall with a tape measure will get you home but it won't wear tires well.

Well you do need to know what you’re doing but a tape measure is perfectly accurate. People have been hand stringing alignments since way before an alignment machine existed.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Thats the thing - you need a good reference of the wheel otherwise you have no idea what you're doing. Measuring sidewall to sidewall with a tape measure will get you home but it won't wear tires well.

Your not old enough to have done alignments with a trammel bar i guess this was how we did it before alignment machines were popular.

 

[jetrinka]

Everyone is missing my point…. Trammel bar, plates, etc all give you a reference point. I never said they couldn’t be accurate/used - it’s just without these things the tape measure IS inaccurate. They just give you a repeatable reference point to be able to accurately use the tape.

 

[flan]

I imagine for the recommended “zero toe” one would want the same measurements on both sides?

 

[flan]

Everyone is missing my point…. Trammel bar, plates, etc all give you a reference point. I never said they couldn’t be accurate/used - it’s just without these things the tape measure IS inaccurate. They just give you a repeatable reference point to be able to accurately use the tape.

Just calibrate your 2 tape measures first

 

[jetrinka]

I imagine for the recommended “zero toe” one would want the same measurements on both sides?

Yup you are correct.

 

[Eatonpcat]

Just calibrate your 2 tape measures first


View attachment 62366

Where did you get the longer 2"...Asking for my wife??

 

[CdnHO]

Mark the sleeve in relation to both parts of the tie rod with a paint marker and start turning it - see which direction it takes for "new" thread to start appearing.

That being said I'd just take it in and have it aligned. Without anything to reference (either machine or some sort of alignment plates) you have no idea if you are doing more harm than good. Rams are notorious for horrible alignments from the factory.

Actually I do know what I am doing. I have been an interprovincially licensed mechanic for over 50 years. All I wanted to know is if the thread on the adjustment collar is right of left hand thread. I didn't ask for a lecture; only information.

 

[jetrinka]

Actually I do know what I am doing. I have been an interprovincially licensed mechanic for over 50 years. All I wanted to know is if the thread on the adjustment collar is right of left hand thread. I didn't ask for a lecture; only information.

Nobody is lecturing anyone - just trying to be helpful - and how is anyone supposed to know what you know…..

That’s the nice thing about a forum is the advice is left here for others to read who may not know anything.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

Actually I do know what I am doing. I have been an interprovincially licensed mechanic for over 50 years. All I wanted to know is if the thread on the adjustment collar is right of left hand thread. I didn't ask for a lecture; only information.

Well then you should’ve known the correct answer is “turn it one way and if that’s wrong, turn it the other way”

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Actually I do know what I am doing. I have been an interprovincially licensed mechanic for over 50 years. All I wanted to know is if the thread on the adjustment collar is right of left hand thread. I didn't ask for a lecture; only information.

Even with a tierod adjustment sleeve lefty loosy or turn it towards the front of the truck in otherwords