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Anyone ever replaced tie rods (update)
Posted on 9/18/18 at 7:23 pm
Posted on 9/18/18 at 7:23 pm
I think my front tie rods are bad. The videos on YouTube dont make it look too difficult. Replacing the outer tie rod looks pretty simple but the inner looks a but more tricky and requires a special tool. Anyone have any experience with this repair? Thanks
This post was edited on 9/19/18 at 5:59 pm
4
Posted on 9/18/18 at 7:38 pm to Milescb28
Not difficult but you really need to make sure that's what needs to be fixed and not another issue like a bushing, bearing, or ball joints. Can borrow the tools needed, just do some research for your specific vehicle and give yourself plenty of time. If you are careful and have access to good precision measuring tools, you can replace those parts and be very close to the original alignment you had before. Still should take it in to get a professional alignment done though. This is one of those jobs that it pays to replace everything you can since you'll be pulling stuff apart anyway.
Posted on 9/18/18 at 10:56 pm to Milescb28
quote:
Anyone have any experience with this repair?
Depends on the vehicle...before you go fixing your tie rods, I suggest you check your control arm, ball joint assembly, stabilizer links, and all the bushings to see if you need to replace that also since you'll be under the vehicle. Autozone will have a loan a tool that fit most vehicles but I had to purchase one from Harbor Freight, this, to fix the front end suspension for a BMW e90. There's plenty of resources online to guide you through replacing everything, I suggest you find it and pretty much read over it so you have some knowledge of what needs to be done. Make sure you measure the existing tie rods to match the new one so your alignment won't be far off. As mentioned above, you'll need to get an alignment once you replace your tie rods.
Posted on 9/18/18 at 11:00 pm to Milescb28
It's pretty easy if you know what you're doing.
Couple of spots that can hang a beginner up:
Knocking the tie rod out of the knuckle
- use either a tie rod puller of the correct size, or turn the nut upside down, thread it until it is flush with the head of the bolt, and beat it with a 5lb maul until it comes out
Not enough room to get a wrench on the inner tie rod
- have a big channel lock
Spinning ball in tie rod when putting nut on
- there should be a way to hold the shaft still (allen wrench or regular wrench)
What vehicle is it?
Couple of spots that can hang a beginner up:
Knocking the tie rod out of the knuckle
- use either a tie rod puller of the correct size, or turn the nut upside down, thread it until it is flush with the head of the bolt, and beat it with a 5lb maul until it comes out
Not enough room to get a wrench on the inner tie rod
- have a big channel lock
Spinning ball in tie rod when putting nut on
- there should be a way to hold the shaft still (allen wrench or regular wrench)
What vehicle is it?
Posted on 9/19/18 at 4:40 am to Clames
I agree with this.
I had an issue similar on my truck. Since they had it on the rack I let them change the bushings and tie rods ends.
I did change the upper control arms on my truck and it wasn't bad at all.
I had an issue similar on my truck. Since they had it on the rack I let them change the bushings and tie rods ends.
I did change the upper control arms on my truck and it wasn't bad at all.
Posted on 9/19/18 at 5:36 am to Clames
quote:
Not difficult but you really need to make sure that's what needs to be fixed and not another issue like a bushing, bearing, or ball joints. Can borrow the tools needed, just do some research for your specific vehicle and give yourself plenty of time. If you are careful and have access to good precision measuring tools, you can replace those parts and be very close to the original alignment you had before. Still should take it in to get a professional alignment done though. This is one of those jobs that it pays to replace everything you can since you'll be pulling stuff apart anyway.
This. Just make sure you have the steering wheel center when starting to install the new rod ends.
Posted on 9/19/18 at 5:44 am to Hammertime
It's a Honda accord. It's at the mechanic now but I've had to put 4 new tires and replace brakes and rotors in the last month. The mechanic is still looking at it and thinks it may be tie rods. I was hoping to do it myself to save some money. Car is get older and has 150k miles but has been really reliable for me as a daily commuter car.
Posted on 9/19/18 at 8:00 am to Clames
quote:
Still should take it in to get a professional alignment done though.
Replced the front end control arms bushings and joints. I am here to say that no matter how much you try to make yourself believe that it is possible to do, you cannot eyeball an alignment. Turning sharp on wet pavement, one of the front wheels had to jump. Convinced me to spent the extra hundred to get it done right.
This post was edited on 9/19/18 at 8:02 am
Posted on 9/19/18 at 3:00 pm to Milescb28
Not difficult but measure the threads 3 times and/or get an alignment done quickly. Don’t blow money saved doing it yourself by having to get new tires and an alignment in 6 weeks
Posted on 9/19/18 at 3:04 pm to Tridentds
quote:
Not difficult but measure the threads 3 times and/or get an alignment done quickly. Don’t blow money saved doing it yourself by having to get new tires and an alignment in 6 weeks
Using the threads might get you close...but I second the idea...get the alignment done fast. I had a tie rod drop on a Ford Ranger when I was in college...and I just counted the threads...and it looked fine...until it started tearing up the inside of the tire and I realized how bad it truly was.
Posted on 9/19/18 at 5:21 pm to Tridentds
I measure the overall length when doing both, or the length from outer bolt to inner when doing just the outer. I don't know if parts were made in the same place, and I don't know how far or how many threads were cut into the new one. I still get an alignment as soon as possible though, but I have a cushion of time if it is closer to correct
Posted on 9/19/18 at 6:00 pm to Hammertime
So my mechanic told me it's not tie rods its internal power steering which is more than I can do/manage but thanks for all the input.
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