Rear tie rod ends
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Woodbridge VA
Rear tie rod ends
Hello, I'm going to replace rear the tie rods ends on my '96 LT4. From what I'm gathering, you cannot replace or buy individual inner tie rod ends. I saw a website that was selling the whole assembly that connects to the housing. My question is, do I need to replace the assembly as whole or do I just replace the outer tie rod ends and leave the inners alone. Since the car is 10 years, should I replace the inner tie rod assembly? The one I saw was going for $200 plus (the assembly, minus outer ends).
TIA
zzzasy
'96 LT4
TIA
zzzasy
'96 LT4
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,032
Likes: 4
I replaced the unit on my '85, which I'm pretty sure is the same setup as your '96. Mine is 11 years older then yours and it still seemed to be in good shape (but I found a pretty good deal on a new unit from Ebay).
Are you rear wheels losing alignment? What's the motive for replacement?
Are you rear wheels losing alignment? What's the motive for replacement?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,816
Likes: 2
From: Austin, TX
You only need to replace the inner asembly if there's play in it. They generally last quite a while -- especially on a street car. The outer ends almost always go bad before the inners. You can definiltely replace the outers while leaving the inner assembly alone (I just replaced my outers last year).
Best thing to do is jack up the car (use stands -- be safe!) have someone grab the rear of the tire and pull in and out while watching the inner and outer ends very closely. If you see any play, replace it.
Remember, just because you have movement in the wheel on a C4 doesn't mean it's the tie-rod end. There are several other potential sources for movement: Wheel bearing, half-shaft u-jonts, Differential axle shims / retainer clip, camber rod bushings, trailing arm bushings.
Best thing to do is jack up the car (use stands -- be safe!) have someone grab the rear of the tire and pull in and out while watching the inner and outer ends very closely. If you see any play, replace it.
Remember, just because you have movement in the wheel on a C4 doesn't mean it's the tie-rod end. There are several other potential sources for movement: Wheel bearing, half-shaft u-jonts, Differential axle shims / retainer clip, camber rod bushings, trailing arm bushings.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Woodbridge VA
I'm replacing them because there is a lot of play in the back wheels. The wheel bearings were shot, so I replaced them last year. I'm definitely going to replace the outers. I will check to see if I can tell whether there is any play at the inner portion.
thanks,
zzzasy
thanks,
zzzasy
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Woodbridge VA
Are the tie rod ends for the rear the same as the front? I've been searching for them and on the Corvette Central site they list the same item for the front and rear.
zzzasy
'96 LT4
zzzasy
'96 LT4
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Richmond Virginia
I just replaced my rear outer tie rod ends with new ones from Zip... they were a perfect match...
One thing I learned is to loosen that locking nut on the tie rod before pulling the end out of the knuckle, otherwise you will find yourself bolting things back together just so you can take them back apart...
One thing I learned is to loosen that locking nut on the tie rod before pulling the end out of the knuckle, otherwise you will find yourself bolting things back together just so you can take them back apart...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Woodbridge VA
I noticed that ZIP is selling them for $50 plus. I see other sites selling them for $39. VB&P is selling what they call a Heavy Duty one for $79 (which is the same price of the dealers...). At this point, I have more confidence in ZIP so I will probably order from them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,816
Likes: 2
From: Austin, TX
Fronts and rears are interchangable (at least on later C4's, not sure on earlier ones). I got mine from Rockauto last year. They are Moog (very good brand) HD ends with grease fittings.
Manufacturer: MOOG
Part Number: ES2908RL
Price each: $ 51.79
They don't show a listing for rear tierod ends, but they do have them listed under "steering" for the front tierod end. I know for a fact that they fit because they're on my '96 right now.
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/cata...&parttype=7428
(it's the last one on the list)
Manufacturer: MOOG
Part Number: ES2908RL
Price each: $ 51.79
They don't show a listing for rear tierod ends, but they do have them listed under "steering" for the front tierod end. I know for a fact that they fit because they're on my '96 right now.
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/cata...&parttype=7428
(it's the last one on the list)
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 4
From: Mexico Beach FL
On my '92, years ago, one of the original rear tie-rod ends wore out at 24K miles.
I replaced them both with new MOOG units with grease fittings.
Curious, I broke the worn tie-rod end apart to find it never had any grease in it at all -- no wonder it wore out. The originals didn't have a grease fitting.
Tom Piper
I replaced them both with new MOOG units with grease fittings.
Curious, I broke the worn tie-rod end apart to find it never had any grease in it at all -- no wonder it wore out. The originals didn't have a grease fitting.
Tom Piper
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 4
From: Mexico Beach FL
Originally Posted by conv90
Why not addind this VBP product on your 96?
Tom Piper
