Tie rod ends, easy to replace as it looks?
06-16-2017, 08:35 AM
#21
Drifting
Zombie thread alert LOL... now I get it 
I have the exact same symptoms (no play at 12 and 6, noticeable play at 3 and 9), thus my interest in this thread. I'm thinking outer tie rod ends but need to investigate further - I don't want to just throw parts at it, I want to actually see where the looseness is before ordering anything. The alignment is correct and the car drives OK but sometimes it wanders more than I think it should, seems like another symptom of loose tie rods.
I have the exact same symptoms (no play at 12 and 6, noticeable play at 3 and 9), thus my interest in this thread. I'm thinking outer tie rod ends but need to investigate further - I don't want to just throw parts at it, I want to actually see where the looseness is before ordering anything. The alignment is correct and the car drives OK but sometimes it wanders more than I think it should, seems like another symptom of loose tie rods.
06-16-2017, 05:04 PM
#22
Burning Brakes
I would be replacing the parts needed on the 96 ASAP, the more this happens causes more components to be stressed and wear faster, also not very safe. Tie rod ends are easy, even inners with the tool,anti-seeze on threads.
06-16-2017, 07:33 PM
#23
Drifting
The '95 (polo) only needs a u-joint and A/C and...
06-16-2017, 11:09 PM
#24
Drifting
If you have an alignment done, make sure that the shop torques the rear camber adjuster to 166 pounds, factory spec. Most shops are not aware of that and will either tighten them with wrenches or an impact. That will not work very well and your rear camber rods will eventually loosen up.
07-07-2017, 09:03 AM
#26
Drifting
Mission accomplished. Inner and outer both sides done and fresh alignment.
It was a bit of a sweat, but overall a pretty easy job even without a lift. I took my time, and had to return to the Autozone to get a second sized wrench end for the loaner tool. About four hours total, including beer breaks, for me.
Rock Auto parts ran about $60. Alignment was $50.
Only surprise was the nylon damper that wraps the inner T.R. I wasn't expecting it, but it was easy to deal with.
The car now tracks solid through the bumps at all speeds.
As an aside, I was shocked at the torque the tire shop in Laurens had put on the front lugs. It took my bouncing body weight on a breaker bar to loosen them. These were the same folks who installed the wheels backwards for the dealer, put the wrong size on the rear, and helpfully tore the exposed corners out of my rear hatch weather strip. Beware of "Superior Auto" in Laurens.
It was a bit of a sweat, but overall a pretty easy job even without a lift. I took my time, and had to return to the Autozone to get a second sized wrench end for the loaner tool. About four hours total, including beer breaks, for me.
Rock Auto parts ran about $60. Alignment was $50.
Only surprise was the nylon damper that wraps the inner T.R. I wasn't expecting it, but it was easy to deal with.
The car now tracks solid through the bumps at all speeds.
As an aside, I was shocked at the torque the tire shop in Laurens had put on the front lugs. It took my bouncing body weight on a breaker bar to loosen them. These were the same folks who installed the wheels backwards for the dealer, put the wrong size on the rear, and helpfully tore the exposed corners out of my rear hatch weather strip. Beware of "Superior Auto" in Laurens.
