Service Procedure

1. Lift the vehicle on an appropriate hoist.

2. Remove the left front wheel.





3. Loosen the left tie rod adjuster clamp nut and bolt (Figure 1).

4. Apply Mopar Rust Penetrant (P/N 04318039AC) or equivalent to the tie rod end threads (Figure 1).

5. Remove and discard the tie rod end castle nut and cotter pin (Figure 1).





6. Remove the tie rod from the left knuckle using Special Tool 8677 (Figure 2).

7. While counting the number of turns, unscrew the original tie rod from the drag link.

NOTE:
The threads on the tie rod end are right handed threads.

8. Discard the original tie rod end.





9. Apply a light coat of Mopar Anti-Seize Lubricant (P/N 05012249AB) or equivalent to the threads of the new tie rod end (Figure 3).

10. Thread the new tie rod end into the drag link the number of turns noted in Step 5 of this procedure.





11. Clean the tapered bore in the steering knuckle with Mopar Brake Cleaner (P/N 04897150AB) or equivalent (Figure 4).

CAUTION:
Failure to clean the steering knuckle arm tapered hole may cause the tie rod end connection to the steering knuckle to not seat properly. The steering knuckle arm tapered hole must be clean and dry.

12. Remove any grease or dirt from the tie rod end stud before installing the stud into the steering knuckle arm tapered hole (Figure 4).

13. Place the tie rod end stud into the steering knuckle arm and install the tie rod retaining nut. Tighten the nut to 75 ft. lbs. (102 N.m).

14. Install a new cotter pin through the castle nut.

CAUTION:
If the castle nut slots do not line up with the cotter pin hole in the tie rod end shaft, continue tightening the castle nut until the cotter pin hole lines up with the next slot in the castle nut. NEVER loosen the castle nut to get the slots to line up with the hole in the tie rod end shaft.

15. Snug the tie rod adjuster clamp bolt.





16. Using a grease gun, grease the right and left tie rod ends through the grease fittings on the tie rod end (Figure 5).

CAUTION:
Be sure to wipe off the grease fitting before connecting the grease gun.

17. Install the left front wheel. Tighten the wheel lug nuts to 148 ft. lbs. (200 N.m)

18. Lower the vehicle from the hoist and move the vehicle to an appropriate alignment rack.

19. Set the toe-in and center the steering wheel following the alignment rack manufacturer's instructions.

NOTE:
Toe should be set to +0.20� total toe on all models.

20. The vehicle must meet the following criteria before measuring the tie rod end angles:

> Vehicle on level surface.

> Full vehicle weight on front tires.

> Bottom side of both tie rod ends must be clean.

> Bottom side of both tie rods must not have burrs.





21. Install Special Tool 10326-1 and 10326-2 onto the bottom surface of the right side tie rod end as shown in Figure 6. The grease fitting should be centered in the hole on Special Tool 10326-1.

22. Measure the angle of the right side tie rod end. Record the number displayed on the inclinometer gauge.





23. Install Special Tool 10326-1 and 10326-2 onto the bottom surface of the left side tie rod end as shown in Figure 7.

24. Adjust the left tie rod end so that the same angle appears on the inclinometer gauge as was measured on the right tie rod end.

NOTE:
The objective is to have both tie rod ends at the same angle.

25. Tighten tie rod adjuster clamps to 40 ft. lbs. (54 N.m).

26. Recheck both right and left tie rod end angles. The right and left tie rod end angles must be the same. If the tie rod end angles are different, loosen the left tie rod adjuster clamp and readjust left tie rod as required.

WARNING:
Failure to have the same right and left tie rod end angles will cause the condition this recall is addressing to still be present.