ZeroBanger

anyone got a picture of these? I want to see where they are located. Mine have 153,000 miles on them. If I replace these will it help relieve the play in my steering?

Thanks

turbojeff

iTrader: (30)

They won't help reduce play if there isn't anything wrong with them. So before you just go replacing them find out if they are bad.

I've seen a few FDs with torn tie rod end boots, 104K miles and 74K miles. Both were 94s. If the boots are bad for a long time the ball joints can wear quickly due to dirt and water getting in.

The tie rod ends are located on the end of the tie rod. Basically jack up the car, take the wheel off and look at the front side (front of the car) of the spindle. You'll see a rod that comes out from the steering rack, it has the tie rod end on it. To remove them, take out the cotter pin, remove castle nut. Use a big hammer and pound on the side of the steel/iron that houses the tapered part of the tie rod end. When it pops out of the hole you'll need two wrenches to twist it off the tie rod. Sometimes people put a nut (not the castle nut) on the threaded end of the tie rod end and hammer on the end of that. This will work too but can mess up the threads, guess it doesn't matter if your going to be replacing them anyway.

It is a pretty easy job, doesn't require any special tools. You'll need an alignment when your done.

Jeff

RonKMiller

Tie rods certainly are suspect with that kind of mileage ...they are usually pretty cheap (did I really say that about parts for this car?) A suspension specialist can tell pretty quick if they are toast just by looking at them.
You need to have the whole steering system evaluated, don't just focus on one part.

It probably is a combination of everything being just plain worn out.

If you go to all this trouble you really need to put 4 brand new tires on it if yours are getting old and like TurboJeff said, a good alignment is in order as well, especially if you have non-stock size wheels.

Oh, did I mention new shocks as well?