Just need your input about tie rod. I was rotating my tires and I noticed my outer tie rod, where it goes on the rack&pinion for those don't know know what a tie rod is, that I saw grease all squished out and looks like the bushing was crackling. My question is, should i just replace a new bushing or get a new tie rod, since I couldn't find anyone who sells just the bushing as I was told, it comes with the new tie rods? Any suggestion, seem like the rubber finally met it match with age and the Albuquerque heat causing the bushing to be mushy.

 

ok... since you are mentioning outer tie rod, it does not hook up to the rack and pinion rather it mates to the inner tie rod on one side and the knuckle/hub/spindle assembly on the other side.
Assuming that is the issue, I would suggest you start looking for new outer tie rods. they are cheap. I just re-did my outer tie rods last week. Moog available at your local advanced auto parts or other parts store have lifetime warranty.
My first set lasted about 70K miles. I think mine failed since I never greased them since putting them on LOL.
If you have high miles, you would definately benefit from new ones.
You will need an alignment once you get the new ones on there.

 

Replace the whole dang thing since you are in there, inner and outer. The inner requires a special tool, but you could slip the local auto mechanic $20 and ask to borrow his like I did. Autozone types stores don't rent this type of tool, and NAPA sells it for like $50-60, so it's worth bribing a local mechanic to borrow his for 20 mins.

 

Local pepboys and autozone here in FL both have the inner tie rod tool as part of their loaner program.
If not, you can buy one at harborfreight for under 40 with their 20% coupons.
However, the inner tie rods are more expensive and do take a lot more time than the outers.
I would say if you have under 100K, you can get away doing only outers. If over, do both.

 

How does the tie rod itself feel? When the car is jacked up with the front wheels off the ground can you wiggle the wheel side/side? If it does look at the tie rod while you are wiggling the wheel. If you see the joint moving around at all then yes, get an outer tie rod. If the wiggling goes inside the rack, just verify the steering wheel is wiggling proportionate to the wheel.

Also try wiggling the wheel up/down, there should be no perceptible play. If there is find where the play is, weather it's the wheel bearing or LCA ball joint.


If the tie rod doesn't have any slop just get another dust boot and re-grease. You can either get a replacement from your local auto parts store in the Halp! or Dorman products sections. Energy Suspension also sells dust boot kits if you are looking to get a little bling on your suspension.

If the tierod(s) are bad as stated above take the time and cost to replace all of them. I only say this because you will need to spend another $40-$100 to get the car re-aligned.

 

ABQ heat + LOW RH = FTL

 

so i dont really know if the tie rods play into this or what. but i just got a 96 maxima and the steering wheel is somewhat loose. for example i can turn it probably 1/4 inch without my tires moving. do you know what it could be? or should it be like that?

 

Well my car has 74k miles on the ODO, and I don't have any play on the wheel when i jacked it up, however that the bushing defininitely is crackled and grease is already all around it, I thought maybe i just get new bushing, since I looked at the Autozone outer tie rods are shorter than the stock ones.