3rd Gen Wheels on 1st Gen problems

Hi I have a 1997 Tacoma and recently acquired some 3rd gen TRD off-road wheels with original Goodyear tires. I was told that they would bolt up with no figment issues. I have stock suspension. After doing so, I noticed some grinding noises when turning relatively sharp. I took a look and realized that the tie-rod end was grinding on the inside of the wheel itself and creating a large groove. Is there anything I can do about this to make them fit? I noticed the tie rod end has a sort-of dog-leg shape that is grinding on the wheels. Any info or fixes would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

Stock TRD wheels should fit fine. Can you post a picture of the wheels you bought. Something doesn't sound right.

 

I attached a photo of the wheels. They are off of my dad’s new Tacoma. Also attached is a photo of the groove on the inside of the wheel. This happened to both front wheels. Based on the look of the tie rod (couple of wear marks on both from rubbing) it seems the tie rod end is rubbing when turning sharp. Any help would be great, thanks for reply

 

Can you get pics of the front suspension on your taco?

 

I bet your tierods are on backwards.

The dogleg should jog towards the front.

 

Oh my word you’re right. The dog leg is facing backwards on both sides. I just bought the truck about a month ago and didn’t notice this before. Thanks for the help. Is there a right and a left tie rod? Do I need to switch them? Thanks

 

You could swap them left to right, but those are shitty aftermarket tie rods, and are leaking grease, so I would just buy new OEM ones and install correctly.

You'll have to measure carefully or get an alignment afterwards.

 

Alright. Is the bolt and pin supposed to be on the bottom??

 

No.
You have the left end on the right side and the right end on the left side.

 

Alright I think I will just switch them. I will measure how many threads and such before I do. Thanks for all the help I feel like an idiot. Usually I’m more mechanically inclined lol

 

Just get new ones and a proper alignment. Those are leaking and tie rod ends are cheap.

 

We all have made similar mistakes and some worse for sure.

 

Get real outer tie rods and an alignment and get the truck looked at for other fubar shit from previous owner so you know it's safe to drive