Lugnutz Posted June 26, 2013 Report Share Posted June 26, 2013 This was a VERY easy and satisfying repair. My 1986 720 is 2WD and has 215K miles. I had some vibration in the steering which turned out to be a bad tire. However, I discovered along the way that I had a lot of slop in the steering linkage. I checked prices on parts and was surprised how cheap they are.You will need a front end alignment after this repair, so keep that in mind for the budget. Check the steering linkage for too much play. Jack the PS wheel off the ground, leaving the DS wheel in contact with the pavement. Grab the PS tire at 3 and 9 o'clock and wiggle the tire in a left turn - right turn fashion. If there is much wiggle, then have a helper observe the tie rod ends, idler arm and pitman arm joints for laxity. If you can wobble the PS tire and the DS stays still, that's a sign of worn out Tie Rod, Idler Arm or Center Link joints or ALL OF THE ABOVE. Chances are that if you have 200K miles on the parts, then you are due for this repair. Other symptoms are uneven tire wear, wandering in the steering and vibration that varies with the speed. I got great prices on parts at Rockauto.com.Inner Tie Rods were $11.41 ea (you'll need 2)Outer Tie Rods were $10.23 ea (you'll need 2)Tie Rod Adjusting Sleeves were $6.80 ea (you'll need 2)Center Link was $45.79 (you need 1)Idler Arm was $27.79 (you need 1)Total = 130.46 plus shipping You will disconnect the steering linkage at only 4 places.1. The PS Outer Tie Rod end from the Knuckle Arm2. The DS Outer Tie Rod end from the Knuckle Arm3. The Idler Arm from the Frame4. The Center Link from the Pitman Arm. 1 Quote Link to comment
mklotz70 Posted June 27, 2013 Report Share Posted June 27, 2013 Great write up! Good job! Thanks :) Quote Link to comment
athoose Posted June 27, 2013 Report Share Posted June 27, 2013 Thanks for the write up! Nice truck too. Quote Link to comment
GreenEggs&Ham Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 Well laid out: not much left to question. Nicely done! Quote Link to comment
Not 420 Just 720 Posted November 9, 2013 Report Share Posted November 9, 2013 Im about to attempt this. Thanks for the info and great pics. Quote Link to comment
5t341tH Posted May 17, 2014 Report Share Posted May 17, 2014 Thanks for the awesome writeup. I'm curious if those adjustable tie rods will work on a 620? The stock 620 doesn't have those threaded adjusters on them Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted May 17, 2014 Report Share Posted May 17, 2014 Sure it does. The 620 uses adjustable tie rods. Use the adjusters designed for a 620. http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1210082,parttype,7432 Quote Link to comment
5t341tH Posted May 18, 2014 Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 hmm. i just did an order at rockauto for the 620 ones. I ordered the "tie rod assembly (inner and outter)" the picture they show doesnt have the lock nuts/threads on there. hopefully i ordered correctly and their pictures are just wrong Quote Link to comment
Guest Rick-rat Posted May 18, 2014 Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 My 620 adjustment is only on the center link, no adjustment on the tie rod ends. Good write up on the 720 except for the pics of the Fram oil filter Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted May 18, 2014 Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 Hmmm http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1210082,parttype,7276 Quote Link to comment
Guest Rick-rat Posted May 18, 2014 Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 The ends from the spindle to the pitman arm and the rod from the idler arm to the spindle are not adjustable. toe in or out is adjusted by the center link only, the idler arm and the pitman arm have 2 holes in them, completely different than a 720. center link connects to the idler arm and the pitman arm 1 Quote Link to comment
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