Expert: Tim hagan - 8/14/2009

Question
Thank you for the response to my previous question.  The truck is not stuck in four wheel drive as I able to spin the rear tires on wet grass w/o the front ones spinning.  But your comment on the centerlink being upside down is interesting.  The previous owner indicated he had done some front end work (inner tie rods I think) and the uneven wear was just the need for an alignment.  But the behavior when turning slowly be didn't seem right.  What can I see to confirm the proper orientation of the centerlink?

Thanks again.

Answer
To qualify the correct installation of the steering rod, compare to a like vehicle. In a correct installation the steering rod should curve to the rear, outboard of idler/pitman attachment holes and inboard of the inner tie rods.

The idler and pitman attaching holes are only tapered in one direction. So that with the steering rod installed incorrectly the curved portion of the rod between the idler/pitman holes and inner tie rods would be curved toward the front of the vehicle. Remove and correctly reinstall the steering rod (center link).