Tie Rod Ends!

[izackary]

I understand how the UCAs and LCAs are worth buying quality parts to replace. But for tie rod ends, do you guys shell out extra bucks for OEM tie rod ends or do you just get any old discount part? I have an intermittent clunk in the steering which I will guarantee is tie rod ends. (Boots were beginning to tear when the front end work was being done last year.)

 

[Lvnmarks]

I go OEM or better, the cheap ones will just loosen up faster.

 

[driller]

Definitely worth the quality parts for anything on the front end.

 

[Mad1stGen]

I have yet to hear a clunking tie-rod on these cars.

 

[izackary]

I've yet to confirm what it is, but it will have to wait until this snow is gone. I'm not driving it unless necessary as it is. :/

 

[SweetSweetConnie]

I go OEM or better on replacements. I like the Moog parts because they are beefy and offer a grease fitting.

 

[beerdog]

I go OEM or better on replacements. I like the Moog parts because they are beefy and offer a grease fitting.

Everything I have learned is that the sealed OEM stuff is better. They are made with more advanced materials and are of a more advanced design so they do not need greasing. i could be wrong.

 

[SCTBIRD1173]

Everything I have learned is that the sealed OEM stuff is better. They are made with more advanced materials and are of a more advanced design so they do not need greasing. i could be wrong.

+1 I've worked in both the aftermarket and dealer and none of the aftermarket stuff compares to OEM no matter what they tell you...

 

[izackary]

So...tie rod ends have a torn boot, but are still solid. It appears that the clunking is coming from the strut rod frame bushings; they're finally shot. The car is pulling to the right, which I kind of suspected was possibly due to reassembling the front end last spring to as close-as-I-could-eyeball. Also there's a pulsating while driving, which I thought may still be the brake rotors, even though the vibration fed back to the steering wheel. I'm guessing the severity of these symptoms are just exacerbated by the worn bushings. Now to decide rubber OEMs or Poly? And at the same time, I'm guessing I may as well tackle the tie rod ends before they DO wear out, and while the strut rods are out, maybe try and tackle pulling the K member and work on that stinking oil pan/gasket...

 

[Slowmkviii]

SRB's ford is the only way to go

 

[beerdog]

I have a question on the OEM tie rods. Were the OEM tie rod ends sealed or did they have a fitting?

 

[izackary]

Mine are (were) 'sealed' and they definitely look old enough to be original.

 

[beerdog]

buy the sealed ones. I am on my second round of replacing the dust boots. Plus the grease mess.