A few months ago I replaced the wheel bearing on my drivers side front wheel. While changing it I found that the ball joint was really loose so I replaced it at the same time.

Now I'm planning on replacing the tie rod ends and the other ball joint. When I look up the parts online it shows inner and outer tie rod ends. I'm trying to figure out how we have inner tie rods with a rack and pinion but I'm at a loss. Can anybody explain where and what they are? Pictures would be a bonus.

 

inner tierods connect the rack to the outer tierods--when u unscrew the outers, ur taking them off of the inners. inners have ball socket end that screws onto the rack/pinion and a threaded end for the outer tierod. when the outer tierod is removed, count the # of turns till it comes off, reinstall new one the same # of turns to put tire alignment in the ballpark until you get car aligned. oh yeah, that lock nut just needs to be broken loose if you're just doing the outer, but when you do the inners you need to install the nut about the same spot as on the old on. and check for rack leaks and the condition of the rack/bellows boot. good luck

 

The inner tie rods are actually part of the steering rack... dont have pics but they are the long rods that come out and the outer tie rod ends are connected to IIRC

 

What do you need (in terms of specialty tools) to replace inner tie-rod ends? I have a rattle from my right front that just won't disappear. I've got probably $400 into a new control arm and a swaybar link, but yet I still her 'thump rattle clunk.'

I'm not a mechanic but have an ASE-certified friend who takes $20 an hour plus beer. If I could kill the rattle once and for all, I'd feel a lot happier about driving the car into the ground.

Sorry to threadjack!

Thanks,
TOM

 

I dont know, I'm fortunate enough to not have replaced tie rods on my car. I've done ball joints and control arms though...
before I go that drastic and do the inner tie rods, I'd check the ball joints (if they werent changed with the new control arm) and strut mount.. both make clunking noises.

 

If There Isnt Any Play In The Tierods Then That Isnt Causing The Noise. Tie Rods Only Make Clunk/thump Noise When There Is Play In Them. Whether It Is The Inner Or The Outer. Dont Waste Your Money On Something That Isnt Broke.

 

I absolutely agree, but I'm running out of components to replace. The sound is definitely coming from the right front, so I've narrowed that down. I replaced the whole control arm with ball joint, also the stabilizer connecting rod. The strut mount could also be bad, but my clunk/thumping sound is going over bumps, not turning left or right. The mechanic says the outer tie-rod socket is fine. Which makes me wonder about the inner socket.

I don't want to go into the rack unless it's necessary, I can just hear the $$$ flying from my pocket.

TOM

 

I wouldn't think that noise would come from the tie rods, I have a simular noise and I think it's coming from the strut mount. There have been many posts on these boards about the noisey front suspension. You might also check the motor mounts out. Along with the bigger clanking noise over joints I have a higher pitched "clink" noise when I go over the small speed bumps in our parking garage. I'm thinking it's either engine mounts or clutch chatter. I'm not sure what clutch chatter sounds like but I'm generally coming to a near stop to go over the bump and then hear the sound right after the bump where I let the clutch out. It kind of "clinks" or "clanks" 4 or 5 times going over each bump.

Back to the tie rods... is there an easy way to test the inner tie rod ends?

 

with the frt wheels off of the ground, grab the tire at 9 o'clock & 3 o'clock position. give it little side to shake, feeling for any looseness. if you feel any, try identfy if it's in the inner or outer tierod, someone doing the shaking while you look for movement makes it easier. if no movement, no problem! while you're at it grab the tire at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock and shake top to bottom, any movement means wheel bearing problem.