Warn Tie Rod?

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Oct 5, 2006 | 12:43 AM

slicked25

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 1,211

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From: Dumas Arkansas

Warn Tie Rod?

I was getting a balanced and alignment done the other day and the guy said my front left tie rod needs replacing. I've been noticing slack in the steering and when I let go of the wheel she dives right. Now I looked up Tie Rods and need to know which was he talking about and is it hard to replace? I'm pretty sure he meant the outer Tie Rod End but need a little help. Thanks.

1984-96 Outer Tie Rod End
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...dept%5Fid=1839

1988-92 Inner Tie Rod End
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...dept%5Fid=1828

Oct 5, 2006 | 09:32 AM

Clay Assassin

Burning Brakes

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 1,056

Likes: 2

From: Elgin Il

You likley need to jack up the car, and see which one is bad.

Wiggle the wheel, and see which one is allowing for the movement.
Thats the one you replace.

I havent done the front on my vette yet, but thye typically are not hard to replace.

Oct 5, 2006 | 11:19 AM

mikey whipreck

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 3,032

Likes: 4

The outer tie rod should have a wear indicator at the zerk fitting. I dont know the meaurements off hand for what is 'within range,' however. Those are easy to replace. You'll just need either a fork tool (which will ruin the old tie rod end), or a pitman arm puller, to get the old end off. The new one will just pull tight when you screw it on. Either way, you can get them cheap or free (if you rent them) at autozone.

I've never replaced the inners, so I have no advice on that...

Oct 5, 2006 | 11:49 AM

CFI-EFI

Race Director

Joined: Sep 2000

Posts: 17,298

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From: The Top of Utah

Quote:

Originally Posted by slicked25

Now I looked up Tie Rods and need to know which was he talking about and is it hard to replace? I'm pretty sure he meant the outer Tie Rod End but need a little help.

You will have to ask him which he was referring to. Or you can check it out for yourself. On my car the inners went first. They can be a bear. Step one, is to remove the rack from the car. Follow your FSM from there. My rack had morning sickness, so I just replaced the whole thing. The inner (but not the outer) tie rod ends come with the rack assembly, exchange.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey whipreck

Those are easy to replace. You'll just need either a fork tool (which will ruin the old tie rod end), or a pitman arm puller, to get the old end off.

A well placed hammer blow is much more expedient and doesn't ruin anything.

RACE ON!!!

Oct 5, 2006 | 12:10 PM

AZC4Guy

Drifting

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 1,302

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From: Tomahawk WI

Warn tie rod... is it in danger? What does it need to be warned about?

Oct 5, 2006 | 12:45 PM

mikey whipreck

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 3,032

Likes: 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by CFI-EFI

A well placed hammer blow is much more expedient and doesn't ruin anything.

RACE ON!!!

haha, yeah that too.

Oct 5, 2006 | 01:23 PM

slicked25

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 1,211

Likes: 2

From: Dumas Arkansas

It's the front left outter tie rod that's bad. But I assume you have to change the front right outter tie rod too?

Oct 5, 2006 | 01:31 PM

C4boy

Melting Slicks

Joined: Apr 2003

Posts: 3,110

Likes: 6

From: Red Sox Nation! RI

Quote:

Originally Posted by slicked25

It's the front left outter tie rod that's bad. But I assume you have to change the front right outter tie rod too?

You don't have to, but it's not a bad idea considering they're pretty cheap and easy to do. You should have no problem finding outers locally. You won't need a tuning fork, but you will need a front end alignment afterwards.