4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999) Visit the 4th Generation forum to ask specific questions or find out more about the 4th Generation Maxima.

Symptoms of bad tie rods?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-17-2006, 09:19 AM
  #1  
Shiver me timbers.
Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
 
maxfanfromohio's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,480
Symptoms of bad tie rods?

Inner or outer. I am looking for information on both.

Thanks!
maxfanfromohio is offline  
Old 08-17-2006, 09:45 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
95bluse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,071
Originally Posted by maxfanfromohio
Inner or outer. I am looking for information on both.

Thanks!
I have a bad inner tie rod on the passenger side which was found when I went for an alignment. Symptoms are a tendency for the car to follow minor road imperfections, meaning there's a tug on the wheel on either side over less than perfect road surfaces. It's quite easy to isolate, just jack up the car & firmly grab the tire at 3 & 9 o'clock positions. Try to move it in & out, if there's movement take a look at the tie rod as you do this. On my car, I can see the play & hear the metallic thunk as the inner tie rod moves. I suspect the outer tie-rod will be similar to spot.
Good luck!
95bluse is offline  
Old 08-17-2006, 10:19 AM
  #3  
Shiver me timbers.
Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
 
maxfanfromohio's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,480
Originally Posted by 95bluse
I have a bad inner tie rod on the passenger side which was found when I went for an alignment. Symptoms are a tendency for the car to follow minor road imperfections, meaning there's a tug on the wheel on either side over less than perfect road surfaces. It's quite easy to isolate, just jack up the car & firmly grab the tire at 3 & 9 o'clock positions. Try to move it in & out, if there's movement take a look at the tie rod as you do this. On my car, I can see the play & hear the metallic thunk as the inner tie rod moves. I suspect the outer tie-rod will be similar to spot.
Good luck!

Thanks for the post. I will try this when I get home.
maxfanfromohio is offline  
Old 08-17-2006, 10:44 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
95bluse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,071
Originally Posted by maxfanfromohio
Inner or outer. I am looking for information on both.

Thanks!
BTW what symptoms do you have?
95bluse is offline  
Old 08-17-2006, 11:56 AM
  #5  
The Golden One
iTrader: (47)
 
IlyaK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 2,826
Yeah same thing as said above. I have Toyo Proxe's in the front which are known to follow the road imperfections but I had the same issue...I went for an alignment at sears and they told me I had bad tie rods (I hit a deer a few months ago and then ran over it after hitting it - lol) so I think the deer did something to mine.
IlyaK is offline  
Old 08-18-2006, 06:22 AM
  #6  
Shiver me timbers.
Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
 
maxfanfromohio's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,480
Originally Posted by 95bluse
BTW what symptoms do you have?

It sounds very similar to what you were experiencing. When I hit a bump the car will pull to one side or the other. The steering wheel just kinda turns in my hand.
maxfanfromohio is offline  
Old 08-18-2006, 07:06 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
aznstormin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Rockville
Posts: 492
is there a picture to show where the inner/outer tie-rods are? i'd like to check this as well, but then i wouldn't know where to look -.-
aznstormin is offline  
Old 08-18-2006, 07:31 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
95bluse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,071
Originally Posted by aznstormin
is there a picture to show where the inner/outer tie-rods are? i'd like to check this as well, but then i wouldn't know where to look -.-
Coincidentally, I'm getting mine replaced right now . I can't do it myself because of the special tool required. Just heard from my mechanic that the steering booth is busted, so that has to be replaced also...oh well as cars age, things wear out.

Here's an excellent write-up with pictures on how to replace it.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/348507/13

I got it from this thread that addressed sloppy steering. I've just replaced my lca's too.

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=391391
95bluse is offline  
Old 08-18-2006, 07:33 AM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
GarciaMaxima's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 215
sound like the same symptoms I'm having. Are tie rods expensive? is it something I can attemp to replace myself? (I've done my own alternator and starter)
GarciaMaxima is offline  
Old 08-18-2006, 07:47 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
95bluse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,071
Originally Posted by GarciaMaxima
sound like the same symptoms I'm having. Are tie rods expensive? is it something I can attemp to replace myself? (I've done my own alternator and starter)
See post above regarding replacement. You need the right tool, it's not that hard otherwise. Cost varies from really cheap eBay ones to Nissan OEM. You can get very good quality MOOG or TRW ones cheaper than dealer (like most parts). My mechanic got mine for $65CAD, I'm not sure who makes it, I'll ask him.
95bluse is offline  
Old 08-18-2006, 07:50 AM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
GarciaMaxima's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 215
Thanks for the info.
GarciaMaxima is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
hcarter1112
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
42
07-18-2022 03:35 PM
chisam14
6th Generation Maxima (2004-2008)
1
11-06-2018 08:56 PM
knight_yyz
5th Generation Classifieds (2000-2003)
12
11-01-2015 01:34 PM
RealityCheck
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
7
10-02-2015 06:34 PM
zmcneely13
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
1
09-26-2015 02:26 PM



Quick Reply: Symptoms of bad tie rods?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:01 AM.