Help with diagnosing grinding feeling on steering wheel and pedals

Finally got it all put back together. Left and right Tie Rod Ends, Sway Bar Links, ECGS Clam Shell w/ new seal and fresh gear oil. Took her out for a spin while I returned all the tools I rented from AutoZone and NO MORE GRINDING feeling! Today getting her aligned and calling it good... for now.


Thanks to everyone who helped!!

 

I made sure it matched the way the old one was installed but I will certainly take that advice and keep an eye on it.

 

Welllllllllllll, I am pretty sure I did not drive it in there to deep, it was from what I could feel, flush with the housing but it does seem I have a slow seep. I am wondering if it is just residual from when I put it in? I lubed it up pretty good around the housing so that things went in easier so hoping that is what it is. I wiped it down pretty good so will check it again after I get home again.

I could swap out the seal again (just a pain in the rear) but what else could cause this slow seep other than the seal?

 

No grinding for sure! Really smooth now thank god, so ya that is a big win. I think you are right and I will buy myself some digital calipers when I order my new seal if it comes to that (I have a feeling it will unfortunately).

 

Yup, already looked them up. $18.99 for the Calipers at Harbor Freight and $16.90 for the seal at Amazon. I am hoping Gwen (Yes, I named my truck) will hold together long enough for me to save up some cash so I can start prettying her up a little more lol.

 

Hell that is awesome thank you so much. For that price, I am just gonna pick it up to add to the tool box.

 

I went out and bought a new seal and digital calipers to make sure I get the 5.5. Chances are I will get in there this weekend. If after this is changed out then what? New Truck?

UPDATE: I got my new seal from NAPA this time and took everything apart ready to go in. Before removing the old seal, I did see that it is different from the original installed seal and the one from NAPA. The original has a metal outer portion while the one from ECGS was likely coated with rubber. Not sure if one is better than the other but that is what was different. I also used my calipers to measure how deep my original installed seal was and it in fact wasn't driven in far enough on the bottom lower right area. Since there was already a leak, rather than just taping in that area so it was the 5.5, I just took out the one from ECGS would put in the one from NAPA. One thing I did see when I had the seal out was a tiny nick (as shown) on the mid left side, opposite from where I think the leak was coming from. Not sure if this was done by me when pulling out the seal or if it was there before but in either case, by use of the calipers, this nick would be covered up by the seals thickness so not sure that would cause a leak. Anyways, I got the seal put in and measurements line up pretty close to the 5.5. I took it out for a long drive and so far no leak is noticed.