Toe Issue

89 Dakota 2WD 3.9. Replaced the rack and PS pump. Now my tires are wearing on the inside edge. To much or to little toe?

They're probably a little toed out. If it still drives okay in the rain, maybe just a hair off of spec.

Is there a trick to determine how many turns on the tie rod ends to get it close?

Yes, count the number of turns it takes to remove the old tie rod end, and install the new tie rod end the same number of turns. Probably too late for that though.

Now you are forced to measure the toe you have and adjust accordingly. Back in the old dirt track days, we would measure the distance between a tire treads on the front of the tires and then measure the distance at the back of the tires using the same tire treads. Measuring at the back of the tires is often a challenge, there is a lot of stuff that gets in the way. Make your measurement as high on the tire as you can get a straight line, both in front of the tire and behind them. I prefer to go for the same measurement because this will only get you close. The only way to get it right is to have the vehicle aligned.

Were I guessing, I would guess that if your wearing off the inside edge of the front tires, its likely toed out.
If the tie rod ends are in front of the ball joints, drop the end on one side, and turn it in one turn.
If the tie rod ends are behind the ball joints, drop the end on one side and turn the end out one turn.
Then get it in for an alignment. Gene

I did count the turns of the ends, but I'm now thinking the new ends are longer then the old ones. Do I have to drop the ends to adjust, or just loosen the lock nut and spin the inner rod? I'll try the measuring of rear then front. Makes sense.

Jack it up and remove both front tires and set it down so the weight is on the axle and have a friend help you check out exactly how much toe in or toe out you have by using two steel carpenter squares and a tape measure by laying the squares up against the brake drum or rotors on both sides so there flush up against where the wheel is and measure out the front side around 15 inches from the spindle center and then about the same amount out the other way and see how much difference there is
That is how I found a bent rear end housing on one of my old street and strip cars, that rascal was 5/8 closer on the front side than the back side
Please let us know what you find

Sorry, but I lost you at "and measure out the front side around 15 inches from the spindle center and then about the same amount out the other way and see how much difference there is"

Take it to get a proper alignment at a shop!

Plan to when I eventually change the tires.

The 15" measurement "out the front of the spindle and the same amount out the other way" would be about the same as measuring at the front of the tire and measuring at the rear of the tire. He is just taking any variable the tires may cause out of the picture.

Definitely more accurate, but also more difficult because you need to jack it up, remove the tires and set it on jackstands under the control arms so the weight is on the suspension, then use a straight edge placed against the rotors to measure across. Gene

You measure out to the end of each carpenter square to see how much toe in or toe out you have on the front side of the tires and again on the back side so you can see exactly you have
If you have 55.6 on the front side and 55.5 inches on the back side you have a little less than 1/8 inch toe out
I like to see between 1/32 to 3/32 of a inch toe in on my drag race cars with the front end raised up around a inch like it will be at WOT on the top end, but no toe out
I was taught to not measure between the tires for toe in or toe out due to the tires having bulges on them

There's no trick. You eather set it right or you don't. That's the trick

Makes sense.
I never thought of that, but have always used the outer most tread to measure. Hook the tape into the tread and measure to the same point on opposite side. Was always good enough for the junk I drive.
I get the ole gals stuff done at the local tire dealership, when we have new tires installed.

Fixed.