WARNING!! More M998 Fastners to Check

[70deuce]

M988 owners take note. Jacked up the right rear to change a worn tire on my 1985 M998 won back in February. Once the tire was off the ground I noticed quite a bit of side to side movement of the wheel assembly. Crawled underneath and found the reason. The tie rod end assembly was loose in its socket. At least 1/8th of play between the tie rod end nut and the knuckle mount. Took out the cotter pin and I could turn the nut by hand. I had noticed some tracking drift on our dirt roads and now I know why. Figured I better check the other three knuckles and guess what, all loose. While checking the left front also discovered both tie rod locking clamps were way loose allowing that tie rod to turn freely. Arrows on the picture show the offending hardware. It appears we have another set of hardware to check for tightness/security with these vehicles.

 

[70deuce]

Goofed up the M998 in the narrative. M998 not M988

 

[Action]

sounds like basic stuff that would normally be checked with a new purchase.
this is one of the reasons i don't know why guys drive off the lot without checking stuff like this and all the fluids. i would hate to have to replace hubs or diff for something a tow would have prevented.

 

[Retiredwarhorses]

sounds like basic stuff that would normally be checked with a new purchase.
this is one of the reasons i don't know why guys drive off the lot without checking stuff like this and all the fluids. i would hate to have to replace hubs or diff for something a tow would have prevented.

Spot on...all chassis and steering components should be checked by a qualified mechanic...same as any used vehicle.