On my way home from the Mets game last night, the max starts shaking from the front right tire, at first I thought it was a flat, but then steering to get onto the shoulder of the Northern Parkway the tire just starts screeching and its about impossible to steer. I get out the front left tire is pointing where I'm steering and the right one is pointing inwards. so kinda like this / \

What broke? and was it related to the clicking I'd hear occasionally when the wheel was cut all the way to the right or left?

 

Sounds like a tie rod got loose or snapped off

 

it was your tie rod.
your car was clicking and you didn't check out why???

you should lose you license for that irresponsibility!
driving is a privilege and should be treated that way.
haveing a car is a privilege, not your right. maintain the thing!!!
you should be counting your lucky stars you didn't KILL anyone with that irresponsible crapola

 

you didn't just do a tie rod job and use a plain nut right?

otherwise your tie rod broke.

 

Not maintaining your suspension components = death! Make sure your car is in good running condition...What if the tie rod had broken at, say, 100+mph on the highway?

 

It had been to the mechanic, mechanic said the clicking wasn't an immediate concern, it didn't do it when he had it. I didn't do any work to the suspension, and nothing has been done with it since I bought the car a little over a year ago. I was lucky in that there wasn't anyone in the right lane next to me so I could pull over pretty quickly, but I also never felt like the car was out of control.

internetautomar i guess just be happy I won't be driving in chicago any time soon

 

hmmm time to get a new mechanic. i'm sure your steering was sloppy as he11 before the tie rod broke.

how did your car pass state inspection with a tie rod that messed up? usually they flag that and fail you...unless you have a shop that doesn't care.

 

I really didn't think the steering was sloppy at all actually, besides a little excessive body roll I think it handled pretty well. Passed inspection in December without any problems, it might have been rushed though because their emissions machine had been down for about 3 weeks and they were probably a little backed up.

The cars not at that mechanic any more...



You're right btw

 

hmm can you verify the tie rod broke?

 

.

 

unlike your case, my tie rods could no longer be taken off. That thing broke 5 jaw pullers. I finally used a pitman and it rounded it off pretty good now I can't get it off. Great! But I was able to get it off 3 years ago though, it just wouldn't come off this time so I could change the rack. Damn that thing. Oh well, the rack still works fine for the time being so I'll just hang on. Just make some noises when I turned all the way either way that's all.

 

I kinda made a pissy remark, but you were right that I probably shoulda checked it out.

I'll know if it broke or not probably when I pick the car up. The cars about a half hour away in Manhasset where things went bad. My dads a police officer [he's a good cop] so he was able to get me a tow truck, and get it to a guys shop that he knew out there.

 

Also you might want to chech you lower control arm too. This has happened to me in the past few months. JM2cents

 

The tie rod broke at the joint. Replaced both of them for 150 parts and labor.

The clacking when turning is axle related, which is what I had thought. Probably gonna get that done shortly. 300 parts and labor both sides is pretty reasonable correct?

 

seems like the going rate in NY

 

thanks danny

 

Damn I payed 160 total to replace both LCAS and Pass tie rod ends.