Outer tie rod ends

[DeafBrad]

Hi Everyone,

I went in today to get a couple tires put on my Dodge Grand Caravan. The guys working on my vehicle found the outer tie rods are worn.

I have fixed various things over the years, but have not replaced tie rod ends. Can I avoid needing an alignment by marking the tie rod and putting the new one in the same place? Do I need any special tools to do that job?

Thanks,

Brad

 

[crazyoildude]

Honestly i would get the alignment.. You can get it close but its safer to do it right.

 

[bowlofturtle]

Even the best techs can only get into the ballpark for near prefect toe.

So you should get on. Most big chain will do them for like $80-100 w/ coupon or something. I would get an alignment if you just got new tires put on.



For outer tie rods you dont need much more then a large wrench to break the jam nut and pliers for the cotter pin. You could get a pickle fork or use a hammer.

 

[The_Jeff]

You can't "save" the alignment.

You can get the toe right darn close with a laser level, though. Do one side, put the level on 4 and 8 o clock and aim the laser at the rear tire sidewall, should just barely miss it outside.

Go for a test drive, make sure the wheel is centered, then and only then do the other side, same way.

If you want to nerd it up, do this procedure before you break your van apart. Maybe put a ruler at the base of the rear tire for the laser to aim at, and record your ruler reading. Go for a drive, repeat, and see how repeatable your reading is with worn parts.

 

[bioburner]

You can get it close. Local shop does alignment for $50. Check around. A plus to it is they may find other wear.
Found that my front end was toed out. New tires have a chance at getting to 75k and my mileage went up a tick but hard to tell with the cold weather

 

[Kruse]

I just finished doing a complete front end rebuild this evening on my kid's '96 Thunderbird. The last two items I replaced were the outer tie rods. I counted the exact number of turns that it took to get each tie rod off. (30 on the left and 31 on the right) With the exact number of turns on the new replacements, the tires have an obvious toe-out and it will get an alignment first thing in the morning.

 

[Fsharp]

A lot of aftermarket outer tie rod ends aren't exactly the same length as the OE ones making it even harder to get the alignment right. So I'd get it aligned afterwards. In fact to change the toe in they have to do pretty much the same work as they would putting on new ones so you might want to see how much it would cost to have the shop put new outer tie rod ends on as well as do the alignment.

If you do it yourself rent a "front end service kit" from a parts store that'll have a press to pop the tie rod end out of the steering knuckle. Or use the above mentioned pickle fork. I've never had good luck simply banging on it with a hammer.

 

[Nick1994]

Absolutely not. Spinning the tie rods will not get you very close. It'll be better than nothing, but you absolutely need an alignment.

I helped my brother replace the inner and outer tie rods on his Chevy truck last summer. We counted the threads perfectly, bought AC Delco tie rods to replace the originals and the tie was off by just shy of 2 INCHES.

We got it straight enough with a tape measure and took it to the dealership for an alignment.

 

[DeafBrad]

Hi Everyone, thanks for the great advice. I have fairly expensive tires on the van, so I better get it aligned after replacing the tie rod ends.

 

[DeafBrad]

I ordered tie rod ends, and got them today. It was fairly easy to put them on as well. I didn't get any special tools either.

The replacement tie rod ends were the same length as the old ones, so I was able to get the alignment pretty close. I have an appointment tomorrow to get the van aligned.

Thanks again for the advice!

 

[WobblyElvis]

Here is what I would do. Put the steering wheel straight. Vehicle on a flat level spot and park brake on, trans in neutral. Get your eyes down low, about six inches off the ground and ten feet in front of the van. Look down the outside edge of the front tires towards the rears. You should just see about an inch of the rear tires. If not, adjust as necessary. This specification may not be correct for your vehicle. Look up the front and rear "track". I believe the front wheels on a Caravan are closer together than the rears. Plus you have a little "toe out" to consider.
I've done a few alignments this way without any trouble.

 

[DeafBrad]

Originally Posted By: WobblyElvis
I've done a few alignments this way without any trouble.


I remember my grandfather talking about aligning his cars. I don't remember everything since it has been many years, but I think he ran string from the back to the front.