Tie Rod Job

[cougar214]

Hey Everyone.I have to do a front driver side tie rod job.Both inner and outer have to be done.I have never seen this done before nor have I ever done them myself.Is this going to be a hard job to do?I have seen the sticky here for the tie rod job but the picks aren't showing me what the inner tie rod end looks like before it's removed so I don't know what to look for or expect.

Just so you know my car is a 1997 ES 2.4L model.I have some mechanics experience but not with tie rod ends and I just want to be sure I'm not going to screw anything up if I attempt this myself.All the help and possible pics you guys can give me will be so great.

[polishmafia]

I've done them on my 8G. If you don't have the right tools for the inner tie rods, they can be a pain. Its possible to do them, but its easier with them.

Are you sure you need to do both the inner and outer? Did you verify this yourself?

Make sure you get an alignment after you're done, too.

[cougar214]

Yes I visually inspected them myself.The outer one has almost all of the rubber boot torn away and the inner one is making a knocking sound and the bellows is torn into two pieces.Also the car is beginning to sway a little side to side.I'm assuming this is due to the tie rod ends screwing up my alignment.

[DOHCstunr]

there's no point in replacing just an inner tie rod. as cheap as it is to just replace the outer its only a few more to do the inner.
Plus, you won't have to worry about separating the old outer from the old inner(which can be a huge pain)
With that said, unless you've recently replaced the inner/outer on the other side of your car, you might as well replace them as well.

Do it all at once, then pay for one alignment.

[DOHCstunr]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4-Tie-Rod-Ends-TALON-ECLIPSE-GALANT-LASER-90-94-RACK_W0QQitemZ140318229382QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotor s_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item20ab9e4386&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

this is the set i bought a while back.
I've been pleased with them so far.

As hardcore modified and tuned my suspension is at this stage,
it would blow your mind to of driven my car BEFORE i replaced my inner/outer tie rods.
It was a feckin death trap.

[cougar214]

Unfortunatly those are for the 90-94.I have a 97.

[bronxbombr]

i sell the inner and outer rods, and MKO did a write up on how to change them.

[cougar214]

So what you guys are saying is ,with a little elbow grease,it's not that hard of a job to do.i will take your advice DOHC and do both sides at once cause that does sound like the best thing to do.Thanks for all your help guys.

[DOHCstunr]

Unfortunatly those are for the 90-94.I have a 97.
whoops

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4-Tie-Rod-End-ECLIPSE-GALANT-TALON-CIRRUS-SEBRING-94-99_W0QQitemZ130311922316QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_ Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item1e5732228c&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

[mko]

Youre gonna need the locking nut from the old tie rod assembly and make sure you use the locking washers for the inner tie rods.

Tutorial explains it well. Just follow and you wont have any problems

http://www.thegalantcenter.net/showthread.php?t=27291

[DOHCstunr]

the set i ordered came with a new castle nut, and lock nut. I reused the inner rod washers.

[cougar214]

Before I forget I have one more question for you guys.Is there anything on the rack I should check before putting the new tie rod end in?Like wear or movement or anything like that?I don't want to get the new tie rod ends in and find out later there is also something wrong with my rack and pinion.

[DOHCstunr]

nah, the rack either leaks or it doesn't. so when you take the boot off, look down and make sure there is no powersteering fluid leaking out of the end of the hydraulic ram.
with that said, if your ram was leaking at all, it would be showing up on your driveway.

You might do an inspection before you start the job, to see if the steering arm dust boots are torn or damaged. if so, replace them too.

[cougar214]

ok thanks guys....I'll give you guys a heads up when I'm done so you know how I made out....I can't tell you how much it helps getting your advice.

[mko]

check the sway bar bushings. you have to get one of the end links off ans shake it up and down

[cougar214]

Ok.How do you remove the sway bar link? And what am I looking for when I shake it up and down?Lots of movement?I looked at them really quick and they seem to be intact.No rotted or torn rubber or bent out of shape.