decode33

I have a 98 crv with 161 miles on the clock. It is not running smooth as before. Took the driveshaft off due to bad u joints and also replaced a bad axle. It is running smoother now but still I feel that the front wheels shake a bit. Got it checked and both tie rod inner and outer are bad. The inner tie rods are completely missing the rubber boots and the outer tie rod ends have cracked rubber knuckles. The steering rack has no leaks but has a little free play on it. The pump is bad. But there are no steering issues except of tight steering in park due to bad pump. Should I just replace the tie rods and pump or the whole rack. Also the vibaration happens at low speeds in the city. Do the tie rods cause this and what are the syptoms of bad tie rods. I also got the car alligned but it still goes left.

decode33

I also have clunk and thud as I go over bumps. I got it checked and the mechanic put a long metal rod in the ball joint and checked for play and said that the lower ball joints need replacing. I just replaced both upper control arms, a bad axle, removed driveshaft. If the steering rack is not leaking but has a little play on it should I replace it. My checklist for changing parts are both lower ball joints, tie rods, pump.

OneBadTurboCRV

Just replace what is bad - obviously you aren't doing the work so let someone who knows what is going on take care of it. Just because a boot is cracked or gone does NOT mean the part is bad.

techtalk

Decode33-

Tie rods are designed to allow limited flexibility, allowing the knuckle to turn back and forth with a tire moving forward or backward on it. When the tie rod connection to the steering rack or to the knuckle becomes compromised, it can lead to erratic steering and damage other components, such as the tires.

A loose tie rod connection will allow the tire to wobble on its axis. This wobble will be felt in the steering wheel in addition to the entire front axle, as it will transfer across. A clunking when turning could be indicative of a loose tie-rod-end-to-knuckle connection. Movement of the knuckle under duress can allow excessive movement in the connection, creating a metal-to-metal contact

To test the condition of your tie rods, enlist a helper to watch or hold the tie rod connection while you manipulate the tire--or the other way around if you want to check the tie rod. Place your hands at 3 and 9 o'clock on the tire and wiggle it with short back-and-forth movement. If you're checking for movement and detect some, be sure that you're looking at the lower ball joint as well as the bearing assembly.

In outer tie rod end connections, the ball socket of the tie rod shaft can move in the knuckle connection or wiggle up and down where it connects to the inner tie rod. If movement is felt but cannot be seen, reposition your hand on the inner tie rod and wiggle the tire again. An inner tie rods connection to the steering rack is internal and cannot be seen. If the movement feels more excessive with your hand on the inner tie rod, then it is bad.

Wiggle the tire in the same fashion, but hold your hands at 6 and 12 o'clock. A tie rod end connection will not cause movement this way, but a bad bearing assembly or an excessively worn ball joint can. This will help you determine if the movement is being transferred from another loose component.

The ball joint (lower) is depicted as ref #3 in the diagram below:


*diagram courtesy of hondapartsnow.com; all rights reserved

Poootie

i have a 98 CR-V that i use to tow my racecar!! yea yea i know!! Well i took a trip out to Pa a few weeks ago and there was a leak in the power steering line (wheel became stiff) i pulled over and checked under the car and it was dripping PS fluid and the vat was almost empty.. I didn't have a tools , so i cut the belt in an atempt to save the pump.

Well long story short , i drove to Pa and back to NYC without a belt. Ride was ok aside from stiff steering. Well i parked when i got back. Went to move it the next morning and while trying to get out of a tight parking spot with no PS. The steering wheel started to turn BUT NOT THE FRONT WHEELS!!


i say this to tell you to get that pump replaced by you loose the whole rack like i did.

decode33

Thanks for all the replies! I tried many times in crvownersclub.com but no one ever replies there. This forum much better.