Tie Rod Smashed & Needs Adjustment?

[Jerome10]

Was doing an oil change last night and looking for a rattle (probably wastegates is my guess). So looking around the truck for anything loose or rattle-y, checking brake lines etc.

Noticed my passenger side tie rod end looks extremely out of position vs the driver side tie rod. I've not noticed any issues with steering or popping or anything like that but it appears that there is a large nut that I could perhaps loosen (you can see it on the driver's side photo), level out the tie rod where it meets the steering knuckle, and it would be much more level. The truck was sitting on level garage floor with wheels pointing straight ahead in these photos.

Not something I'd normally worry about but I'm a little concerned it may cause that tie rod bushing to fail prematurely in the position it sits and cost me a replacement down the road. Any thoughts are appreciated. If I were to do this myself, is it easy enough to just loosen the nut and adjust or would I be better having dealer do it since the truck is still under warranty?

PASSENGER TIE ROD (SMASHED)

DRIVER TIE ROD (OK)

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[jkosh22]

The tie rod is a ball joint. Which means it can rotate at any degree within its limits. That’s perfectly normal and won’t affect drivability or long term. Bushing is rubber and flexes with the rotations of the joint. You’re in the all clear.

 

[Brent@ANParts]

Yup, no issues there, it's designed to do that and it just so happens to be depressed on that side.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

Yeah, that’s really not much of an issue, but we are that concerned about it. Put a big adjustable wrench on flats on the tire rod end and rotate it for a few degrees. This will alleviate that slight bind or unevenness.

 

[Jerome10]

Yeah, that’s really not much of an issue, but we are that concerned about it. Put a big adjustable wrench on flats on the tire rod end and rotate it for a few degrees. This will alleviate that slight bind or unevenness.

Thank you. May give this a shot at some point. Mainly didn't know if bumps or suspension movement could damage if that far out of the "normal" position.

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