[Shotimes] Problem of the month

[Kevin & Cheryl Airth]

Rob:
 Count the turns when you remove the old ones. Then your front end should
still be in alignment. Check the inner tie rods too. I will just about
guarantee they are worn out also. To check the inner ones, remove the tie
rod from the spindle. There should be enough friction in the inner tie rod
joint to support the tie rod in any position. So if the tie rod just flops
around and hangs down, you need to change the inner ones too. The inners are
more involved  because they are retained with a small pin that has to pulled
out or sheared off. It also takes a special tool but I think you can borrow
this for free from AutoZone. They have a nice tool loan program. Access is
tough too but you can do it in your driveway just fine!

I think you have been told already that clunking is probably not the tie rod
ends but most likely sway bar end links. This can be checked easily. Remove
the end link and drive around to see if the clunk still remains. You might
have sub frame bushings causing the noise too.
.
.



> Tie-rod ends.  I was hearing a clunk up front, and was doing my front
brakes
> when I noticed these suckers are pretty loose.  So replacement is in order
> on both sides.  Do the gurus know anything I should know about up front to
> keep from getting bit in the butt?
>
> As always, thanks for y'alls advice.
>
> Rob Pittman
> 90MTX, 110K