I tried to search, but it is down right now. What are the symptoms of a bad inner tie-rod? I just bought the car and the steering rack boot is torn. I need to replace the boot for MD inspection, but do I also need to get a new inner tie-rod? Is there a steering boot kit I can buy? Thanks

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Oo0MaRkY0oO &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I tried to search, but it is down right now. What are the symptoms of a bad inner tie-rod? I just bought the car and the steering rack boot is torn. I need to replace the boot for MD inspection, but do I also need to get a new inner tie-rod? Is there a steering boot kit I can buy? Thanks</TD></TR></TABLE>


From my own experience, when my inner tie rod went bad my steering wheel would vibrate and it also caused bad tire wear. Just because the bellow boot is torn doesnt necessarily mean you need a new inner tie rod, If you want to check if your tie rods are still good and tight just simply jack up each side and set your hands on the tire in the 3 and 9 oclock position and wiggle side to side. If there's any play in it, it could be the inner or outer tie rod, just have somebody take a look at with you if you cant tell. The bellow boot, I believe, you can get at your local parts store.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Rahjahdat &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


From my own experience, when my inner tie rod went bad my steering wheel would vibrate and it also caused bad tire wear. Just because the bellow boot is torn doesnt necessarily mean you need a new inner tie rod, If you want to check if your tie rods are still good and tight just simply jack up each side and set your hands on the tire in the 3 and 9 oclock position and wiggle side to side. If there's any play in it, it could be the inner or outer tie rod, just have somebody take a look at with you if you cant tell. The bellow boot, I believe, you can get at your local parts store.</TD></TR></TABLE>

+1

 

Thanks....and for the install of the boot, is it just pulling the tie rod off then putting the new boot on?

 

it's a matter of "screwing" the out tie rod ends out and then putting the new ones on... it's pretty straight forward but you may just need to wiggle the old one out with some elbow grease. make sure you don't swing that nut out too far cause there is one nut on each side that keeps the tie rod end at a certain position for alignment. use a sharpie and sort of draw a line to give you a starting and ending point. in the end, get an alignment for sure. GL. if you need to change the inners... you may as well change the whole darn rack.

 

The "wiggle test" should be done first, inner and outer tie rods are pretty simple to do and are fairly inexpensive (compared to the whole rack). I circle track race a 90 teg and have replaced quite a few and my "mechinic" skills are not the greatest!!!