| Author | Message | ||
     SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 774 Registered: 06-2002 |
I was checking out my steering rod for 'clunks' and noticed that my bushing (?) or rubber seal think looks cracked and rotten. So I turned around and looked at the RRC one, looks much better. I took pics of both. Can anyone tell me if it needs to be replaced or if the entire ball joint should be replaced?! I'm SO confused. Thanks in advance. This is the Disco, driver's side: | ||
| SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 775 Registered: 06-2002 |
AH, my computer crashed as i was trying to post the pics! Here is the Disco driver's side:  Passenger side:  | ||
| SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 776 Registered: 06-2002 |
And here is the Rangie for comparison. Passenger side:  Driver's side: (sorry for the reflection and yes, there is leaking above)  | ||
| Sergei Rodionov (Uzbad) Senior Member Username: Uzbad Post Number: 330 Registered: 08-2003 |
Ahh tie rod end bushing.. If you feel that its dead (yours looks like brand new in comparition to mine) - you basically need to replace whole thing, as you got non greasable version then all stuff gone through cracks if there are any (dont see it on picture though). I got sick of wobble on mine and ordered whole tie rods with ends this monday  Mine are so rusty that i am not going to try to ubolt them. You can manufacture fast hack for right now, but it is only hack, not full solution. You can remove whats left of rubber, and stick on bushing from shock absorber or steering dumper + some grease, and then tighten bolts. It will keep you going for a while, but you need to get normal replacements (i.e tie rod end) in pretty timely manner (well.. relatively speaking. Being lazy i drove like that for a while) | ||
| SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 779 Registered: 06-2002 |
So, I shouldn't just order the bushing for the tie rod? But replace the entire end instead? I just thought it looked really worn out. Could someone post a pic of a new one...so I know what it's SUPPOSED to look like?! Thanks! | ||
| Brian (Bthaxton) Member Username: Bthaxton Post Number: 92 Registered: 02-2003 |
I just replaced all four of mine. I'll try to post a pic. | ||
| Geoff 93 RRC (Geoff) Senior Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 284 Registered: 11-2002 |
They wear out by either loosening up from use or seizing up from rust. There shouldn't be any play. You can try having someone try and move the steering wheel enough to put pressure on it and you looking at each one for play in the joints. | ||
| Kristopher March (Apexdisco) Senior Member Username: Apexdisco Post Number: 356 Registered: 02-2002 |
Brian, can you post a picture of your new tie rods? I need to replace my tie rod ends, and hopefully not the whole rod. Is this hard to do? How much are parts for this job? | ||
| Steve Rupp (Steve_rupp) Member Username: Steve_rupp Post Number: 97 Registered: 03-2003 |
I would feel if the ball joints are loose. Grab it near the joint and shake it like hell. If there are holes in the boot, that means that water has definately penetrated the boot. Therefore no grease. I would probably replace them with greasable tierod ends. Don't forget to get the front end aligned. | ||
| mark gomez (Mark) Member Username: Mark Post Number: 61 Registered: 05-2003 |
I just changed tie rod ends on my truck a few weeks ago. Everything came off fairly well except for the one that was seized. I used lots of WD-40, propane torch, a pair of vise grips and a hollow bar slipped over the tie rod end to turn it while I stood on the vise grips. I was about to give up on the seized one when curiosity got the best of me and I had to see if the little torch could get the rod glowing red. It didn’t turn glowing red, but it did loosen it up enough that I was able to take it off with a bit of effort. | ||
| Steve Rupp (Steve_rupp) Member Username: Steve_rupp Post Number: 99 Registered: 03-2003 |
Mark, Sounds like a very scientific method of removing the ends. There are better penetrating lubs to use than WD-40. I would try using a big pipe wrench. You still may need to use heat. Just make sure you heat the tie rod and not the ball joint. You want the tie rod to expand and not the ball joint. It sure is a pain in the ass though that's for sure. | ||
| marc olivares (Pugs) Senior Member Username: Pugs Post Number: 387 Registered: 12-2002 |
sus, i wouldn't worry about it until you start to feel vagueness in the steering wheel or steering slop, or if the clunk you are refering to was coming from one of the rod ends. if it ain't broke don't fix it. rod ends will last a long time with chaffed or cracked boots. marc | ||
| kay tell (Chrisseries1) Member Username: Chrisseries1 Post Number: 49 Registered: 03-2004 |
they got these needles that you can stick through the rubber, then attact to grease gun and apply grease, to places where there is no grease nipple. give that a try. |
