2011 Ranger XLT 4x4 front suspension service?

[JJMaine]

My 2011 Ranger has 110,000 miles and I realized recently that it needs (at least) an outer tie rod.

I'm just wondering if this is one of those times where I'd be smart to just go through and replace most of parts and be done for awhile so stuff doesn't keep going bad one after the other? Most of the parts look to be relatively cheap (besides upper control arms) on Rock Auto and I can get OEM for everything except the Upper control arms.

What would you guys recommend? Just replace the tie rod ends or do it all, get an alignment and be done for a good while? Also any recommendations on aftermarket parts vs OEM like grease-able ball joints etc or stick to Motorcraft when possible (which is what I usually try to do). Thanks!

 

[JJMaine]

Also, after putting my summer tires back on I noticed the front end feels very vague at highway speeds. It just feels very light and kind of wants to wander.

And the trucks suspension seemed like it took a bit of a beating before I bought it. The guy had the torsion keys cranked up with stock length shocks and when I took the shocks out to replace them the driver's side shock shaft blew right out of the shock (I had my safety squints on thank god lol). Just one more reason why I think a full reset with some fresh parts might not be a bad idea?

 

[JJMaine]

After work today I lifted the front of my truck and it appears to be a bad inner tie rod on the passenger side. It looks like these are discontinued from Motorcraft so I'll have to get aftermarket.

Can anyone recommend Moog or Mevotech? Is it recommended to replace both tie rods of only one is bad? Should I replace the boot too? Thanks!

Everything else seems fine so I don't see any reason to throw parts at it.

 

[SenorNoob]

Sounds like a plan. If you try to do front suspension a piece at a time it can end up costing more in the long run because of having to get it realigned after every part you replace...

 

[JJMaine]

When I ordered these Ac Delco Gold inner tie rods it never occured to me that Ac Delco made GM parts. Are these the correct ones for my truck? Just seems odd to have a GM sticker on the box lol

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

If the part number is correct…

A lot of parts anymore probably come from a couple factories. I’ve opened Duralast (Autozone’s house brand) boxes before and dumped out a part stamped Moog or Bosch or something. Brand on the box doesn’t seem to matter a whole lot anymore.

Personally, any wear parts for my stuff, I buy from Autozone for the lifetime warranty. OEM parts are getting harder to source for older stuff and general quality of parts has gone down. So I joke my trucks have a lifetime warranty…

 

[JJMaine]

Yeah true. These inner tie rods are discontinued by Motorcraft or I would have gotten those. I'll look at Rock Autos website and see if these are an alternate for the OEM part #. Just seems odd to have a GM part.... As long as it fits I don't care.

 

[SenorNoob]

Things like that usually just come in a box specified by the customer from the actual manufacturer.

 

[4x4junkie]

I'd suggest replace those sway bar end links as well. The one in your pic looks questionable.

 

[JJMaine]

Ok thanks, what would you recommend? OEM or links with polyurethane bushings?