It also says to *inspect* transfer case and differential oil, but never to replace it under normal operating conditions, and never even mentions inspecting or replacing water pump.
Yes, INSPECT the lubricants for contamination and proper level, they are consumables...what do you not understand about that? As for the Water Pump, tell me exactly how you would 'inspect it' short of removing all the covers it is behind? It isn't meant to be inspected at regular intervals. Water Pumps typically 'slow fail' and your CLUE is coolant coming from the 'weep hole' provided for just that event. Surely, you know that?
Yet, we all replace those items at regular intervals (or at least semi-regular) regardless of their condition. I don’t think anyone would advocate waiting until the t-case or diffs failed as the “need” to replace the oil, or waiting until water pump starts leaking or failing as the “need” to replace water pump instead of preventatively doing it when changing timing belt.
Most of us replace the water pump (and pulleys, idlers, etc) when a Timing Belt is due for replacement simply because you don't want to have to go back in there should one fail. Lubricants are to be replaced based on their condition (not mileage). My argument and point (which you just made for me) is to replace fluids (consumables) when in need. Lubricants break down over time and with use. So when they begin to 'fail' we replace them. You have the option of replacing them before that. No one is suggesting that they be left until a T-Case, Diff or Tranny fails, that is ludicrous but of course you know that.
Tie rod ends are cheap (if 555) and easy to replace, they receive the brunt of forces on the steering system incurred while driving, and are designed to wear and fail before the rack. With 200k miles on the originals, one probably shouldn’t wait for a TRE to fail or get sloppy, which will ultimately result in more costs to replace poorly worn tires, etc. The outer TREs are quite a bit beefier and stronger than the inners, which generally seem to wear before the outers. If replacing the outer, then why would one not just go ahead and replace the inner, which takes 5 more minutes to do?
I really don't care what the OP decides to do. His question concerns when to change the TRE's. Your position is that it should be done according to mileage. My position is that he should first determine their condition. How a vehicle is used and has been serviced in the past can make a big difference. How do you know that he even has the original TRE's (or steering rack) on his vehicle?
For example (different vehicle) my 80 series has 315K miles on it. It literally has the original drive train and suspension on it (engine, transmission, Tcase, driveshafts, U-joints, diffs, axles and so much more). Many others have not made it that far on the original parts, because they've been used and serviced differently. I can tell you that I don't plan to replace my Engine, Trans, T-case, etc based solely their mileage, but rather by signs of significant wear or failure. We are not in disagreement that certain parts could/should be replaced preventatively. But each person needs to decide that for themselves and not act hastily on recommendations based solely on age or mileage.
