Danny B

So this week my 84's steering started feeling like it had some play to it. Tonite I jacked it up today and found that both of my front wheels had a lot of play.

It looks like my tie rod ends might be the culprit. I had play when I rocked the wheel left and right.

I just replaced the Steering rack with a rebuilt one(928intl) & new tie rods about a year and a half ago ( 25 K miles since ).
I was wondering if my wheel bearings might be the issue but the rotor is still nice and snug on the spindle..

Is this typical for Tie rod ends to only last this long?

thanks
-Dan

Landseer

Not in my experience.

But I've found a series of bad U-joints in steering, prior to rack.

robot808

Danny B, did you try rocking the wheels at 12 and 6 as opposed to 3 and 9?

Danny B

yes. Rocking the wheel at 12 and 6 was tight. 3 and 9 had play.

Danny B

I made this last night.

http://home.comcast.net/~netdvlpr/pwpimages/TieRods.mov

Looks like the Tie rod end... But I'm open to suggestions.. Both wheels are like this.

Leon Speed

What brand tie rods?

mikeb7

Haven't heard it discussed in these circles, but in the old BMW world, you always ask what brand suspension parts are before buying. Certain ones are to be avoided or you will have issues like wildly premature wear out (ie trashed after 25000 miles would not be unheard of). There's a brand called OCAP with pandas on the wrapper, for example, that should be avoided.

Danny B

I'll have to check the brand when I get home. Purchased from 1 of the big 4 in February 2012.
Any chance I did some kind of a major installation fubar that might have caused it to prematurely wear? I did had it aligned at a shop right after installation.

jpitman2

inner ends?

davek9

Out of balance or out of round wheels will wear out front end parts in 25k mi. and yes how are the inner Tie rod ends (at the rack)?