Less than 20k miles on my truck and worn outer tie for bushings?

This is what the outer tie rod ends look like on each side. I'm not mechanically inclined, but they appear to be in pretty bad shape. Why might they be like this with less than 20k miles and only occasional moderate to light off roading? Should I replace them now?

Edit: If I'm going to replace them, should I stay oem or is there an aftermarket part that is significantly better?

 

it looks kinda dry did they have grease in them?

 

It looks like they used to have grease. The boot is pinched and the grease is gone. Worth keeping an eye on it, but not urgent to replace them yet.

 

Yeah there's some grease but the boot (not bushing lol) is kah-blooey! Maybe I'll replace with Moog when the time comes

 

Scratch the Moogs. Just read the thread on those. OEM for me.

 

Looks like a pickle fork was used on it.

 

X2 ^ Did you have any work done ? If so they may have done it . With that kinda of miles and you said light off roading I just don't see that happening and then on both sides at the same time ?

 

Just under 20k. Been through some water, some mud, some snow, but not a lot of any of them. Front end work done by two different shops when I had new coilovers and upper control arms installed. New tires and rims, and I installed 3/4" spacers. Nothing else.

 

Shop did that, cant blame a failed part on a bad install. They used a pickle fork in it, when all they had to do was hit the nuckle with a hammer.

 

I don't see any evidence of a failed part yet- failed boot yes... Doesn't mean the tie rod end is junk just yet.

 

What's wrong with the moog tie rods? I replaced mine with moogs as well as the inner tie rods and the lower ball joints. Anyhow, you could just replace the boots. They sell replacements in the parts stores. Just undo the tie rod from the spindle, pull the old boot off, clean out the inside of the tie rod to the best of your ability, grease the s#%t out of it, and put on new boot.

 

Looks like one of the front end shops caused that. Its time to get one of the shops to do what's right and fix it on there dime. Just my 2 cents
Doug

 

So I installed one side this morning, and here's what the boot looks like. Do you guys with 3" lifts have crushed boots like this? It looks to me like it won't last 6 months due to the angle. (Haven't put in the cotter pin or zero fitting yet in that pic)

 

Once you put the truck on the ground, it wont look like that.

 

Here's what it looks like on the ground

 

In that picture you wheel is at an extreme angle...

You worry too much. Pump some grease in it and let it roll.

 

Haha I definitely worry too much. You got me there

 

I used to use Moog years ago and they did not last long. OEM is best quality IMO.

 

less than 20k miles..... on a 2013, you are still under warranty no? have the dealer replace em!

 

I didn't bother to ask about warranty because of the lift. They've got a pretty good argument that the part failed because of the angle.