Several weeks ago, I unfortunately hit a large rock with the left front of my 20 Gladiator in a turn lane. Couldn’t avoid it.
Local shop checked it out and found that I damaged the tie-rod ball joint. Heavy duty SteerSmart parts but a head on hit at high speed. Truck drove ok but I could tell something wasn’t right.
I called SteerSmarts for a replacement but they were undergoing end of year inventory and couldn’t ship the replacement tie-rod end but gave me the part number. I sourced the part from a vendor, it arrived two day shipping 12/23/24. I immediately unpacked and started the install.
As I attempted to install the tie-rod stud into the hub I realized something wasn’t correct. I then noticed a difference in the new stud (tapered) and the old (straight thread/minimal taper). There was an adapter in the bottom of the hub mounting hole.
After some quick research I couldn’t find a solution so I shot an email off to SteerSmart and started to wrap it up at 8:15 pm. I was positive I had ordered the wrong part.
Much to my surprise at 9:07 pm (10:07 pm Michigan time), Chris Doyle of SteerSmarts replied to my email with the solution….
“That is the new stud and correct part. All you need to do is hammer out the old taper sleeve in the knuckle and you are good to go! 75ftlb”
Thank you Chris for the early Christmas present.
That is customer service at its best!!
Excellent Made in USA products and dedicated people that take pride in their business. They set the standard for excellence.
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