Replaced all 4 tie rods on the Fusion today. Pretty easy job, all considered. In the process, I found that on the inner end of the inner rod sits a rubber/metal washer. I have no idea what it's called, but you can see it in this picture next to the steering rack end of the inner tie rod:
Basically it sits on the collar of the inner rod where it threads into the rack. For clarity, this is NOT a lock washer like some cars use. From the looks of it, all it does it soften the impact when the steering goes full lock. The metal pieces on each side of the rubber are just there presumably to make the washer last longer. The reason I ask is because the passenger side washer was fully intact, whereas the driver side washer was mostly disintegrated. Only the 2 metal outside pieces remained with very little rubber in between. I left it there, as it can't hurt and would still soften the impact some. The parts I used (Moog problem solver) did not come with these washers. Am I on the right track here? The washer was only about 1/8" thick, and sticks out about the same as the collar on the rod does.
Basically it sits on the collar of the inner rod where it threads into the rack. For clarity, this is NOT a lock washer like some cars use. From the looks of it, all it does it soften the impact when the steering goes full lock. The metal pieces on each side of the rubber are just there presumably to make the washer last longer. The reason I ask is because the passenger side washer was fully intact, whereas the driver side washer was mostly disintegrated. Only the 2 metal outside pieces remained with very little rubber in between. I left it there, as it can't hurt and would still soften the impact some. The parts I used (Moog problem solver) did not come with these washers. Am I on the right track here? The washer was only about 1/8" thick, and sticks out about the same as the collar on the rod does.
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