Replaced Tie Rods - AWESOME!

[Cooper]

I just replace both front tie rods and I can hardly believe how much better the car handles! It is better than replacing all my stuffed shocks [dampeners] and rear sub frame bushings combined! Steering is perfect, like a new car, no more looseness, noisy during minor road bumps, and tram-lining and such. Drives like you would expect an expensive BMW to drive.

Check your tie rod ends people! It is cheap and easy to replace them yourself. AND the fan removal spanner fitted perfectly around the inner tie rod end securing nut! Get a front wheel alignment after though.

Graeme

 

[5harp3y]

I just replace both front tie rods and I can hardly believe how much better the car handles! It is better than replacing all my stuffed shocks [dampeners] and rear sub frame bushings combined! Steering is perfect, like a new car, no more looseness, noisy during minor road bumps, and tram-lining and such. Drives like you would expect an expensive BMW to drive.

Check your tie rod ends people! It is cheap and easy to replace them yourself. AND the fan removal spanner fitted perfectly around the inner tie rod end securing nut! Get a front wheel alignment after though.

Graeme

I've got some in the garage. Easy to do then?

 

[Cooper]

I've got some in the garage. Easy to do then?

Difficulty is one spanner out of five . Easy. I knocked the outer tie rod end it by leaving the nut up to the top of the bolt and tap tap tapped in the top until it released. I have no corrosion though. It's easier than changing a rocket cover gasket!

 

[MRH1966]

Totally agree......easy job and the difference is amazing!!.......I used a ball joint splitter, the pronged type........kept it in one piece, measured with a tape so the new one is about the same length, fitted and then straight down to get it tracked.

 

[t-tony]

Unless you're fitting complete tie (track) rods with track rod ends, you're likely to have trouble splitting the two pieces.

Tony.

ps. I would suspect some of the improvement came courtesy of having the alignment set up.

 

[Cooper]

Unless you're fitting complete tie (track) rods with track rod ends, you're likely to have trouble splitting the two pieces.

Tony.

ps. I would suspect some of the improvement came courtesy of having the alignment set up.

I replaced the whole tie inner and outer as one new unit each side. No alignment done yet but I will be close to the original set up. I was able to grab the wheel at three and nine o'clock and it would move back and forth so much . All that play is now gone. The drivers side was really bad, dangerously bad in my opinion. I am still smiling!

 

[MRH1966]

Yes outer had gone on both sides.........easier to buy inner and outer and replace the lot....cost about £40 for both

 

[gookah]

I would think the UK MOT would highlight such a difference if its that pronounced.
I believe they grab the wheel and rock it side to side to check for these things as well as other play in the suspension.

 

[Paul Weller]

I just replace both front tie rods and I can hardly believe how much better the car handles! It is better than replacing all my stuffed shocks [dampeners] and rear sub frame bushings combined! Steering is perfect, like a new car, no more looseness, noisy during minor road bumps, and tram-lining and such. Drives like you would expect an expensive BMW to drive.

Check your tie rod ends people! It is cheap and easy to replace them yourself. AND the fan removal spanner fitted perfectly around the inner tie rod end securing nut! Get a front wheel alignment after though.

Graeme

Graeme
Could you visually see play in the joints before you changed them?
Paul

 

[Cooper]

Graeme
Could you visually see play in the joints before you changed them?
Paul

The wheel would Rock when grabbed and shaken side to side. Actual movement not really except it made the impression that the strut was loose which really was the tie rod joints. The inside joint was the worst which cannot be seen unless you remove the boot. Side to side wheel movement is the key. Oh， and i could grab the tie rod and rotate it really easily with almost no resistance.

 

[Paul Weller]

The wheel would Rock when grabbed and shaken side to side. Actual movement not really except it made the impression that the strut was loose which really was the tie rod joints. The inside joint was the worst which cannot be seen unless you remove the boot. Side to side wheel movement is the key. Oh， and i could grab the tie rod and rotate it really easily with almost no resistance.

I must crack open one of the taper joints and check mine then, thanks.

 

[MRH1966]

Inside joint on one of mine was very loose!

 

[Cooper]

Inside joint on one of mine was very loose!

Loose as in stuffed or did the nut just wind its way off a bit?

I got my front end alignment and drove to work today across all the same road imperfections I usually do. It is like driving a new car, almost no tramlining solved almost the cracking an popping sound in the dash area, instant response in the steering.

 

[MRH1966]

Loose as in stuffed...........the big nut which screws into the steering rack is on a ball joint........this joint was very floppy with a little in and out movement........on the other side the outer track rod was advised on MOT so changed the whole lot........

 

[handsomejackuk]

The wheel would Rock when grabbed and shaken side to side. Actual movement not really except it made the impression that the strut was loose which really was the tie rod joints. The inside joint was the worst which cannot be seen unless you remove the boot. Side to side wheel movement is the key. Oh， and i could grab the tie rod and rotate it really easily with almost no resistance.

yeah i noticed the same in mine got a bit of play in the steering wheel before the car actually turns.. have had the both front wheels off and already loosened a lot of the bolts i nreadiness for some replacement bits... did the tie rod ends come with steering gaitor boots as well ? as i would be loking at replacing the inner and outer parts.

 

[Cooper]

yeah i noticed the same in mine got a bit of play in the steering wheel before the car actually turns.. have had the both front wheels off and already loosened a lot of the bolts i nreadiness for some replacement bits... did the tie rod ends come with steering gaitor boots as well ? as i would be loking at replacing the inner and outer parts.

You can buy the inner and outer tie rod as a single unit combined. Boots and metal fasteners did not come with it. I bought German made lamfauder or something like that. I got mine here, have a look just to get an idea . Google clickable automotive Australia, put in vehicle details, look under front steering and you will see them. I often use this company as I get free shipping and excellent service and products.

 

[Mario]

+1 on this I changed the whole assembly on mine and no more tramlining or vagueness on the steering, huge difference

 

[Bpeters651m]

Does it matter the type of tie rods replaced with? I just purchased a ‘97 Z3 a few days ago. Noticed some play in the steering (though I have no previous Z3 experience so could be normal) and planned to pursue replacing tie rods/ball joints etc. Though I just received the service records from the mechanic who has worked on it and the front sway bars and tie rods were only replaced 7k miles ago. This leads me to think the steering is within normal tolerances or that other performance parts would produce the desired results.