tie rod end

[stevemainian]

When the tie rod end goes bad, does it make a noise when you turn the wheel in that direction?

Everytime I turn left(if i turn lightly it rarley makes a noise) it makes a weird sound, but i dont think its the CV Joints.

 

[Dr. Tweak]

Like a knocking noise? It could be, you can check it by jacking that side of the side up, then grasp the sides of the tire and wiggle it back and forth, as if you're trying to turn the steering wheel (it helps if the steering wheel is locked). Look for any play, there shouldn't be any. It's easiest if you can look right at the tie rod end while someone else moves the wheel. Check the balljoint as well since that could also be the problem.

Guides for changing each of them is on my website.

*edit* That would be http://www.shophoenixproject.com/

-JD

 

[stevemainian]

I dont know if id call it a knocking noise. We havent had any chance to do it yet since its been raining for the last few days here.

 

[SHO Squall]

JD-

Great write-up with pictures! I only wish it were that easy on my car. I have a feeling I'm going to need to soak the ends every night with PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench until this weekend when I'll have time to do it. The "30 minute job" became about an hour, with bleeding knuckles and no progress. I put the wheels back on and limped home.

 

[Dr. Tweak]

What went wrong?

 

[SHO Squall]

Driver's side, couldn't unsrew the locknut. Passenger side, I wrestled the locknut loose but the end wouldn't budge.

And, of course, since I hammered the end out on the passenger side WITHOUT the castle nut on the end, I ruined the threads, so the castle nut is being held on with 1/2 of a turn. Limping home is an understatement... the car is not roadworthy by any stretch of the imagination at this point.

 

[SHO Squall]

Issue resolved. Got it to a mechanic who did the work without dropping the steering rack (dealer insisted that the rack had to be dropped no matter what, and wanted over $600 for the job). They ended up having to cut one of the tie rod ends off the tie rod, it was that bad. I had NO chance of being able to do the work at home successfully based on that.

New tie rods and ends, re-aligned, MUCH safer car!