Technical Service Bulletin
Bulletin Number: TSB-04-00001
Date: 4/1/2026
Subject: Tie Rod Ball Joint Proper Indexing Inspection - Procedure
Applicability: MY2025/2026 Chassis
Service Category: Suspension
Section: Suspension
Market: USA & Canada
Introduction:
This TSB is recommended to resolve complaints about alignment pull in either direction.
To be performed both as an independent inspection and at the end of any alignment procedure. Repeat
and confirm on both sides.
Affected Model Year(s) 2025-2026 Harbinger chassis, please refer to the following service instructions.
Vehicle Applicability:
Model Year

Model

2025-2026

Harbinger Chassis

Labor Operation

Labor Code

Allowance

Inspection Only

997-002-003

0.3 hrs

Inspection + Loose Nut Correction

997-002-013
997-002-003

0.6 hrs

Inspection + Wheel Alignment (toe)
*Pre and Post Printout Required

997-002-012
997-002-013
997-002-003

1.3 hrs

Service Bulletins are intended for use by Professional Technicians only, and provide guidance for specific vehicle service in
accordance with industry standards. Technicians must be appropriately trained and have the necessary tools for safe and proper
procedures.
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VIN’s Affected:
MY2025: ALL
MY2026: ALL

Tools / Materials Needed
●​ Large Vice Grips

●​ Large Channel Locks

●​ 27mm Wrench

●​ 30mm Crowsfoot for
Torque Wrench

●​ Torque Wrench up to
150Nm

●​ Blue Loctite 243

Instructions
1.​ Inspect/Confirm Tie Rod Jam Nuts are
tight. ( Torque Stripes Must Be Aligned)
2.​ Inspect inner and outer ball joints to confirm
they are 90° in reference to each other
visually.
3.​ Test the tightened tie rod assembly to
ensure they can rotate freely 士10° back
and forth.
a.​ Access the following URL
https://tinyurl.com/2raaucvr or scan
the QR CODE to view an example
video of a freely rotating adjusted
assembly

Service Bulletins are intended for use by Professional Technicians only, and provide guidance for specific vehicle service in
accordance with industry standards. Technicians must be appropriately trained and have the necessary tools for safe and proper
procedures.
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End Of Inspection / Confirmation
1.​ Ball Joints are 90° relative to each other ⇨ PASS
2.​ 士10° degrees of free movement is observed ⇨ PASS
IF the Inspection PASSED, Mark the outer Tie Rod with a

+

Green
IF the Inspection did not PASS, then proceed to the Indexing
Procedure
IF both tie rod jam nuts were found loose on either side, then
a toe alignment is necessary.

Indexing Procedure Driver’s Side:
1.​

Driver Side - START- Loosen the Jam
Nut of the inner tie rod.
NOTE!
These are Left Handed Threads

2.​

Driver Side - Ensure the Toe
adjustment is set and the outer tie rod
Jam nut is torqued tight - 150 Nm.
NOTE!
Add Torque Stripe after Tightening

NOTE!
These are Right Handed Threads

Service Bulletins are intended for use by Professional Technicians only, and provide guidance for specific vehicle service in
accordance with industry standards. Technicians must be appropriately trained and have the necessary tools for safe and proper
procedures.
Version 1.3

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3.​

Driver Side - Rotate the Outer Tie Rod to
the end of its range of motion in this
direction.

4.​

Driver Side - Rotate the Inner Tie Rod to
the end of its range of motion in this same
direction.

5.​

Driver Side - Add blue loctite 243 and
torque the Inner tie rod jam nut to 150 Nm
while holding the ball joint in position.​
NOTE!
Add Torque Stripe after Tightening

NOTE!
These are LEFT Handed Threads

Service Bulletins are intended for use by Professional Technicians only, and provide guidance for specific vehicle service in
accordance with industry standards. Technicians must be appropriately trained and have the necessary tools for safe and proper
procedures.
Version 1.3

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TSB-04-00001

Repeat Tie Rod Ball Joint Indexing inspection as illustrated in the
beginning of this instruction sheet.

Service Bulletins are intended for use by Professional Technicians only, and provide guidance for specific vehicle service in
accordance with industry standards. Technicians must be appropriately trained and have the necessary tools for safe and proper
procedures.
Version 1.3

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Indexing Procedure Passenger’s Side
1.​ Inspect/Confirm Tie Rod Jam Nuts are tight. (Are
Torque Stripes Aligned?)
2.​ Inspect inner and outer ball joints to confirm they are
90° in reference to each other visually
Test the tightened tie rod assembly to ensure they can
rotate freely 士10° back and forth.
a.​ Access the following URL
https://tinyurl.com/2raaucvr or scan the
following QR CODE to review above
inspection:

1.​ Passenger Side START- Loosen the Jam
Nut of the inner tie rod.

NOTE!
These are LEFT Handed Threads

Service Bulletins are intended for use by Professional Technicians only, and provide guidance for specific vehicle service in
accordance with industry standards. Technicians must be appropriately trained and have the necessary tools for safe and proper
procedures.
Version 1.3

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Indexing Procedure Passenger’s Side (continued)
2.​ Passenger Side - Ensure the Toe adjustment is
set and the outer tie rod Jam nut is torqued tight 150 Nm.
NOTE!
Add Torque Stripe after Tightening

NOTE!
These are Right Handed Threads

3.​ Passenger Side - rotate the outer tie rod
to the end of its range of motion in this
direction

Service Bulletins are intended for use by Professional Technicians only, and provide guidance for specific vehicle service in
accordance with industry standards. Technicians must be appropriately trained and have the necessary tools for safe and proper
procedures.
Version 1.3

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Indexing Procedure Passenger’s Side (continued)
4.​ Passenger Side - rotate the inner tie rod to
the end of its range of motion in this same
direction.

5.​ Passenger Side - Add blue loctite 243
and torque the Inner tie rod jam nut to
150 Nm while holding the Ball joint in
position.

NOTE!
Add Torque Stripe after Tightening

NOTE!
These are LEFT Handed Threads

Repeat Tie Rod Ball Joint Indexing inspection as illustrated in the
beginning of this instruction sheet.

Service Bulletins are intended for use by Professional Technicians only, and provide guidance for specific vehicle service in
accordance with industry standards. Technicians must be appropriately trained and have the necessary tools for safe and proper
procedures.
Version 1.3

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Version

Change descriptions

Author

1.0

Initial release

Apollo Del Razo

1.1

Added change log

David TenHouten

1.2

refined parts tables info

David TenHouten

1.3

Added labor codes

David TenHouten

1.5

Small edits - format

David TenHouten

Service Bulletins are intended for use by Professional Technicians only, and provide guidance for specific vehicle service in
accordance with industry standards. Technicians must be appropriately trained and have the necessary tools for safe and proper
procedures.
Version 1.3

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TSB-04-00001