Gibbelstein

OK, when I pulled the wheel off to check the brakes today, I noticed that the tie rod ends have some 'wiggle' when I checked them. I got the whole thing put back together before I came inside and looked at replacement parts and I am having trouble picturing what was under there. My questions are:

1) Am I correct in thinking the inner tie rod end (This fella: http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web..._715272495____ ) threads into the steering rack, and that the outer tie rod end (Here: http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web..._715266911____ ) threads into it and attaches the actual steering pivot?

2) I know the outer has some play, but I don't know about the inner. Is there any reason I SHOULDN'T change the inner at the same time?

3) I am looking at the Moog stuff on Rock Auto. Anyone got suggestions for a better manufacturer or a better deal?

Thanks for any assistance,
Chris

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Moog is pretty good. Id get the inners replaced at the same time, just dont forget to get an alignment afterwords.

zeta

iTrader: (1)

RockAuto has some of the best prices for MOOG parts. Google 'RockAuto discount code' before you order, most of the time you can save 5%. I will be doing an inner tie rod, hopefully, this week on my mothers Oldsmobile, and found a good deal there.

Just don't used MOOG to replace worn inner/outer lower control arm bushings, they are soft.

ThomWV

If I might offer a suggestion it is this. When you remove the old tie rod measure the exact (within about 1/16th inch) length of your old rod end to end and then when you put the new ends on adjust to the same length. It should get you real close to the original alignment but of course you still have to have it realigned. Measureing first probably saves the front tires a little bit of unnecessary wear between the time you finish the tie-rod-ends job and the time when you get around to having it trued back up.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

^ Agreed. Thats what I did when I did my outer tie rod ends. As long as the nuts arent rusted, its a quick job. Ive never done the inners, but I need to.

ThomWV

I've done inners and outers on all manner of vehicles over the years, there's really not much to it. You really need a good splitter of the right size, but that and a couple of bangs and the rest is sort of self explanatory. By the way, if its got grease fittings on the bottom side they are very good things to measure in-between. The only other hint I would give is if you don't have a big vice to break the lock nuts lose before you break the joint apart. Its a lot easier to break lose when they are held firmly in place by the car's suspension than when you are trying to both hold them by hand and handle a very big wrench at the same time.