Strut/Tie Rod replacement

[JSin]

So after searching and finding maybe threads similar to mine, but none answering my questions, here it goes.

I'm a newbie to car suspension work, but I'm sure I'll pick it up fast so I'd appreciate the help.

Background: My 97 GSX needs a safety inspection to be registered in MD, it failed because of (among other things) a "right inner tie rod" and "right front strut".

Now, I found the strut/shock assembly online for sale at autozone for about $40, which isn't too rediculious but can't find tie rods for the life of me. Maybe they're just the tie rod ends? No idea, but I don't see how a rod end could go bad by looking at my repair manual, its just a hunk of metal. Anyways, if anybody could assist in helping me figure out the exact problem and what I need to do, like I said, I'd appreciate it.

 

[JayRolla]

The end is not just a hunk of metal. It pivots and has a boot with grease inside and yes they go out. Replace them both. Just go to a local parts store and buy some of the higher priced ones not the $5 ones. They should cost about $25 each. Also you want to replace all the struts at once, not just the bad one, if one is bad they all are most likely going bad and I reccomend buying a performance strut. Local part stores struts usually are not that good.

 

[JSin]

The end is not just a hunk of metal. It pivots and has a boot with grease inside and yes they go out. Replace them both. Just go to a local parts store and buy some of the higher priced ones not the $5 ones. They should cost about $25 each. Also you want to replace all the struts at once, not just the bad one, if one is bad they all are most likely going bad and I reccomend buying a performance strut. Local part stores struts usually are not that good.

Both the inner and outer tie rods or the inner on both sides? How difficult are they to replace?

And replace both front struts or all 4 of them?

Will I need to rent/borrow any special tools or can I get by with plain toolbox and a car lift?

 

[JayRolla]

I was referring to the outers because that is what usually goes out, never touched the inners. But if you do one on one side make sure you do the other side. You will also need an alignment afterwards. They are real easy to replace just some hand tools. The struts I always do all 4 and I would go with some Koni's or KYB's. Its expensive but well worth it. You will need to buy some or rent spring compressors to get the struts off the springs. I just bought mine for about $25 at a local parts store.

 

[greengoblin]

Inner tie rods are no fun to replace. It is one of the few thing I just pay some one to do. You will have to get your car aligned after you do the install of them as well. That is another reason I just bring it to the a shop where they can do it all at once. Good luck

 

[JSin]

While since I'm pulling the struts off too to replace them I figured I would give it a try and attempt to replace the inner tie rods, if its too bad I'll just throw it together and drive it down the street to the shop, need to anyways for the alignment. For anyone who has done either (strut,inner tie rod replacement) and hints or tools I should look for to simplify the process?

 

[Strm Trpr]

JSin,
I would highly advise against doing the inner tie rod ends yourself.
In order to them, you need to have a tool similar to that of a CV Joint boot clamp/crimping tool.
So the job is not worth the investment of parts, tools, and your time.
Just take it to a shop and have them done.

I've been in my late GST's suspension more times than I care to mention.
I replaced everything, both outer tie rod ends, upper front control arm ball joints, front lower lateral arms, rear toe control arms, sway bar end links, and I also did a full Energy Suspension Bushing install, and topped it all off with a set of Tein Flex Coilovers.
That car handled and took turns like you couldn't imagine.
The harder I turned the steering wheel, the harder she cornered, and that was with stock sway bars.... man I miss that car.

I only got to experience that for a month or two before someone ran me off the road and she got totalled. RIP

So, now I have a GSX, and it handles like shit.
I will be doing everything that I mentioned all over again, but I'm taking her in for the inner tie rod end install and a 4 wheel alignment.

If the shop you end up taking it too wants to charge you more than $50/inner tie rod end, ask them if they price match, and also ask them what brand components they plan to use.
You can probably find parts online a lot cheaper, that's what I did.
Firestone wanted to charge me like $70 per inner tie rod end, and I said hell no, I can get them from the dealer for $37 each. They said the best they could do is $42 each, and I agreed.... Just food for thought.

 

[wret]

I wrote a tech article for inner tie rod end replacements a while ago. It's probaly not a good 1st project for a complete newbie but anyone with basic tools and some mechanical ability should be able to get through it.

 

[JSin]

Maybe I'll rethink replacing the inner tie rods, how about the struts, how difficult is it to replace those?

 

[JayRolla]

The struts on my 1g where cake. Took some time but it was easy. Just unbolt them, pull them out. Compress the sping, and take them off. If you have a Haynes manual, which im sure you do if your working on your own car, its not hard at all.

 

[CruisinGSX]

I'm not too sure about using a pipe wrench on inner tie rods, but hey, whatever works for you I guess. But then again, I do work in a shop and have my own inner tie rod tool for that purpose. Also, I didn't see anything about the recommended use of medium-strength threadlocker on the part of the inner tie rod that mates up to the rack.

Struts are generally fairly easy to do. Just make sure that the spring is completely unloaded before unbolting everything (don't put jack stands beneath lower control arms if you're doing this without a lift).

 

[eldiabloz13]

Tie rods are no problem. I did them w/o knowing shit on cars. Rent the tools from autozone. Thats free. Get some rags and a jack or a lift. A lift where the wheels are hanging. then go to work. Its not that hard for any tie rods but the inner just take a little longer. ALso a little more steps. Use that artical as refrence and get a alaignment when your done. Count the turns so you can spin it back in around the same times so you have a somewhat aligned car.

 

[Black 95 TSI]

you will need a inner tie rod tool to unscrew thte tie rod from the inner rack, ou dont have much space to try uning a wrench , and for the struts you need a spring compresser, if you try to remove the center nut with out compressing the spring it will hurt big time. I know how the roads in MD are i am a MD inspecter i see inner tir rods bad all the time

 

[CruisinGSX]

From personal experience - counting turns when replacing inners doesn't help at all. But then again, I deal with some really crappy parts dealers and almost never get to install manufacturer parts.

 

[JSin]

Replaced the struts today, pretty easy all things considered. Just make sure you have OUTER coil compresser tool. The one that Advance let me borrow went through the center of the springs... which was where the struts were, so that didn't work. The shop where I was working had the right tool though (phew). Getting a bolt off the passenger side was a pain in the ass, but nothing too major. Took about 3 hours to replace both sides and do a quick oil change. I'll take the tie rod in to be replaced, I think I'll go with most people's advice and just take it in. Its only 1.1 hours of labor, I can deal with that. Thanks for all the help guys.