1996 850 Wagon - First Time for Tie Rod Ends Topic is solved

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 22 Aug 2016, 16:35

Watched a video and read the guide on here, but had a few questions:
Checked again and the outers had about 1/16" of play so I assume that it should be zero and the tie
rod ends need to be replaced - is that right?

Just to be sure I've got it right here, when I loosen the lock bolt on the inside there is no danger
of damaging the rack since the rack end has the other ball joint and can rotate freely? Might
move the boot a bit but that's fine, I assume.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 22 Aug 2016, 17:19

Any discernible play in a tie rod end is too much and, yes, the inner tie rod will rotate so the rack is indeed safe.

...Lee

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 22 Aug 2016, 19:10

Thanks very much Lee!

Is it safe to assume that the 1/16" is safe for at least 5K more miles or would it be a lot more?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 22 Aug 2016, 20:37

It is pretty rare for them to come apart altogether but it will just eat the tires alive.

...Lee

Post by **j-dawg** » 22 Aug 2016, 23:21

How does it feel when you drive? The part is cheap and the job is pretty easy (outside of cracking the jam nut loose), although you will need an alignment afterwards. I wouldn't wait 5k to fix it - even if it doesn't break, a car with sloppy tie rods is no fun to drive.

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 02 Oct 2016, 23:32

Did this about a month ago, it was fairly easy.
Put the nut back on before pounding out the outer end as Robert suggests in his video.