'03 Camry Outer Tie Rods Wrong Taper at Spindle
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Joined: May 2025
Posts: 2
From: West Tennessee
'03 Camry Outer Tie Rods Wrong Taper at Spindle
Since this is an older car, this may have been covered before, but I cannot find the topic.
First, a little back story: I ordered struts, brake components, control arms, CV axles, bearings, and inner and outer tie rods from RockAuto. First indication of problems was when I went to install new bearings, they were 2mm smaller OD than originals. Fortunately, I was able to get the PN off the old bearings, and swap with RockAuto for the correct ones that fit. NOTE: I verified the PN that RockAuto originally sent with Toyota via VIN. It was NOT a mistake on RockAuto's part.
Work proceeded smoothly until the last step - replacing the out tie rods. The taper on the where it installs into the steering knuckle is WAY too small. My son had already burned the boxes, so I had to eat those parts. I went back to Toyota via VIN and re-ordered from RockAuto. SAME problem!
I have scoured several Toyota and Camry forums, and have seen only one post on this - something about a mid-year changeover in '03 production, and possibly a mix of Japanese-market and U.S.-market parts, but I have YET to find an answer as to what the CORRECT PN is for the outer tie rod with the larger taper.
I reinstalled the old out tie rods, but can't get an alignment as they have just enough wear as to not pass what a shop will sign off on.
ANY help in this dilemma is greatly appreciated.
First, a little back story: I ordered struts, brake components, control arms, CV axles, bearings, and inner and outer tie rods from RockAuto. First indication of problems was when I went to install new bearings, they were 2mm smaller OD than originals. Fortunately, I was able to get the PN off the old bearings, and swap with RockAuto for the correct ones that fit. NOTE: I verified the PN that RockAuto originally sent with Toyota via VIN. It was NOT a mistake on RockAuto's part.
Work proceeded smoothly until the last step - replacing the out tie rods. The taper on the where it installs into the steering knuckle is WAY too small. My son had already burned the boxes, so I had to eat those parts. I went back to Toyota via VIN and re-ordered from RockAuto. SAME problem!
I have scoured several Toyota and Camry forums, and have seen only one post on this - something about a mid-year changeover in '03 production, and possibly a mix of Japanese-market and U.S.-market parts, but I have YET to find an answer as to what the CORRECT PN is for the outer tie rod with the larger taper.
I reinstalled the old out tie rods, but can't get an alignment as they have just enough wear as to not pass what a shop will sign off on.
ANY help in this dilemma is greatly appreciated.
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 15,179
From: PTW
Rockauto is a drop shipper. They only know what their suppliers tell them. If a supplier states a part can fit a US or Japan built car from XX/XX date on then that is all Rockauto knows.
Rockauto has listed parts that are listed to fit a year/make/model but the part DOES NOT fit as their supplier gave then wrong info.
Have you gone to an online real Toyota parts dealer and inputted the VIN number to get a real Toyota part number? Plus find when the part number charged as say for a mid-year part design change.
You might reach out to Rockauto and explain what is happening. Even with no box they could send the part back to their supplier who appears gave them wrong info. If you have this issue, then others have or will have and Rockauto is now paying for a lot return postage and will continue to do so because of a wrong parts fit listing.
Send a private message with the VIN to me.
Rockauto has listed parts that are listed to fit a year/make/model but the part DOES NOT fit as their supplier gave then wrong info.
Have you gone to an online real Toyota parts dealer and inputted the VIN number to get a real Toyota part number? Plus find when the part number charged as say for a mid-year part design change.
You might reach out to Rockauto and explain what is happening. Even with no box they could send the part back to their supplier who appears gave them wrong info. If you have this issue, then others have or will have and Rockauto is now paying for a lot return postage and will continue to do so because of a wrong parts fit listing.
Send a private message with the VIN to me.
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