skcivic4life

so id say its time for a new tie rod end, everyone agree?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g17SHCKhdb8
the nut on the joint portion just spins with the bolt.


Modified by skcivic4life at 2:39 PM 8/17/2008

skcivic4life

anyone?

Xscort

that first twisting motion is perfectly fine....on the other hand, the play in the ball joint between the tie rod end(outer) and the inner tie rod is what you're after. The play that you have is fine for a while, but you'll want to consider replacing it, they're real easy to do. I wish I would have video'd my tie rod ball joint play, the ball was gonna pop out the socket any day!! If that were to happen at highway speeds=catastrophic damage/accident is bound. Check your wheel bearing too! Jack front end up or just one side and grab the tires at 3 and 9 o'clock positions and move tire in and out horizontally, there should be virtually no play.

For the moment, you are fine, it's really hard for me to tell visually on the movement with the ball joint, audibly the play doesn't sound too detrimental. I could be wrong! If you were tugging up on the tie rod, make sure the castle nut is securely on there AND make sure you have a pin thru the castle nut.

alphalanos

Yeah get new ones. All you do is put a wrench on the nut and another on the actual tie rod, there is a flat area where this fits. Break it loose and unscrew it. Then get an alignment.

skcivic4life

yea im guna get a new one, the nut just spins(with the bolt) though like the bolt portions broke off. but i cant get it to pound out. so sounds like its guna be fun getting it out.

Xscort

ball joint/tie rod pickle fork is my best friend, be careful not to tear the boots unless they're being replaced.
ex. tool
http://www.nextag.com/Ball-Joi...-html

skcivic4life

i ended up buying a nut spliter from autozone for $9, a few cranks and it split the nut right in half. heated up the adjusting bolt with a torch and it broke loose right away, mission accomplished, thanks for everyones help/opinions