Inner tie rod ends won't Fit.

RCASTILLOZ28

MEMBER
1998 DODGE RAM
5.2L
V8
RWD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

I recently bought a 98 Dodge Ram 1500 RWD. I wanted to change the inner tie rods on it but they don't seem to connect to the center link that is linked the pitman arm and idler arm. The tie rod parts number the system gives me is ES3171RLT. I bought these part online but didn't fit, I also went to a local parts store and those didn't fit either. I changed other steering components as well such as the pitman arm, idler arm and outer tie rods and those worked fine. The ptiman arm and idler arm connect to the same center link bar that the inner tie rods connect to and they fit fine but the tie rods won't go inside the hole of the center link as the hole is smaller than the part that's suppose to go into the link from the tie rod. Am I missing something? Or do I need to use a different part number? Please advise.

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,871 POSTS

I found the same part number for your application. I would take one of the old inners to a Chrysler dealer's parts department and have them look it up. Take along the vehicle ID number and date of manufacturer too just in case there was a production change.