Tie Rod Ends

[Ernzo]

Hey, it looks ike replacing the tie rod ends is a 1/5 bananna. Any ideas? Best replacements? How about sealed?

ps. Boy, am I GLAD that I finally replaced the thermostat. Louise warms up in about 5 minutes, runs well, heater blows hot. I always forget the obvious things.

E

[Ralph]

With an appropriate puller (rented from AutoZone), the tie rods are a simple job. The tricky part is getting the wheels somewhat lined up so you can safely drive to a shop for a proper alignment.

I bought mine from Krage MotorSports (http://www.jeepdoc.com) because their prices were pretty good. I was a bit miffed, however, that the draglink end and the shorter side tie rod end were exactly the same part, but one cost more than the other. Anyway, I replaced them all plus the adjusting sleeves and the upper and lower balljoints in one weekend.

[Ernzo]

Thanks Ralph, I have never done anything on a front end before. It looks simple, but so did the power brake unit replacement...

Louise has wanderitis, lose steering. I have adjusted the box as per the technical article here, and still wanders. I have nwere shoks and a stabilizer. I assume that tie rods will help, they are 130,000 miles old. I had not thought to do anything else, at least initially.

[CowKiller]

as long as u screw in the new ends the same as the old ones, u should be fine. that is what i was told.when u take off the old one, count the threads that are left on the rod. screw on the new one that much.

[jode]

As far as driving to a shop for an alignment...only do that if you are feeling rich. All they are gunna do is measure the distance between the leading edge of the front tires and compare it to the trailing edge of the front tires...then adjsut it till they are the same.
THAT IS IT! Paying for an alignment is more of a independant front suspension/front drive type thing.

You may want to add some slight toe in while you are at it...I am not sure...but I am sure that sombody else on this site can chime in here and give you the 411 on the whole thing.

The bottom line....you can easily align it yourself without a fancy alignment tool. :D

[Michael]

Moog parts are awesome stock replacement.

This will probably one of the easiest and best things you could do to your steering. Good luck.

[SpruceMoose]

ralph: how tough was the ball joint replacement? they are just sleeves, 2 per side, right? i have been chasing a vibration problem for a few months now, and am down to the ball joints. so far: new shocks and damper, new tie rod and end, new drag link and end, new rear bearings, tightened the fronts to spec, new rear axle u-joints, tightened the steering box to spec (well, at least to "feel"). i think thats it.

sm.

[kreb]

i second the moog replacement. carquest carries them and you can order them from o'reiley's

benjamin