Date: Wed, 5 Mar 2008 19:52:46 -0800
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Shazam <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Shazam <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Tie Rods
In-Reply-To: <A79A87C1-FCA3-4090-B1D3-2577E74F7DD9@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
They're not weak or usually failing on vanagons in my experience.
I tend to leave good working parts in service.
Depending on what you get as a replacement, the replacement ones may not
even be as well made as originals from 'the fatherland.'
It's not a full alignment of course, but you can adjust toe just fine
yourself without getting a whole official alignment,
You can even center the steering wheel ( besides just re-spline-ing it
where it attaches to the steer shaft ) by figuring out which tie rod to
lengthen or shorten while you dial in the toe.
However a full real alignment of course is much better.
I would say tie rods only fail from jillioins of miles, or out of round
tires, or out of balance tires, or tires feathered from not having it
alignment, or worn shocks.
'by themselves' they don't just wear out really, or not that easily. It's
all the other factors.
I see a hundred different vanagon tie rods a year, and barely find one or
two bad, if that. Vanagon front ends are really good,
You keep good smooth balanced tires on there, and good shocks,
And drive it nice - vanagon front ends last really well.
Tips - don't wrench of the rack itself undoing the inner ends if you can
help it.
Count threads when you unscrew the outer end, so you can get back close.
If it's just the outer 'ball pivot' at the wheel that's bad, you can just
replace that. They are ALL, fortunately, right hand thread where they screw
on the tie rod. That helps a lot. Some cars have left threads on one end,
right on the other, and some people mix 'em up, or you forget which way to
turn it to adjust toe, it's a mess, but another GREAT things about vanagons
is the tie rod ends both have right hand threads.
Have fun !
Do good work. And just to be clear, the 'right thing' is a full complete
alignment afterwards. The tie rods are so reliable, that I think I'd take
good original ones over aftermarket ones many times.
Check tires for out of roundness and trueness while it's up.
Tire balance has to be decent too, otherwise it beats the tie rods and rack.
Oh ! - make sure your play at the wheel is really tie rods and not the
bushing in the end of the rack being shot, allowing up down movement there,
which shows up as what appears to be tie rod play out at the wheel.
And gotta have medium decent shocks at least too of course.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Kevin Carrubba
Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2008 7:32 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Tie Rods
HI Folks,
I'm back in lurker mode as my van is finally starting to dry off after
another wet winter. I'm noticing my right tie rod has some play in it
and I"m sure needs replacing as it has not been replaced since I have
owned the van. So is it recommended to do both sides? The other side
seems tight but I would hate to do this and need another alignment a
week later. I've never done these before any things to watch out for?
Thanks
Kevin
87 Westy EJ22
Vashon WA
--
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.21.4/1313 - Release Date: 3/5/2008
9:50 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Kevin Carrubba
Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2008 7:32 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Tie Rods
HI Folks,
I'm back in lurker mode as my van is finally starting to dry off after
another wet winter. I'm noticing my right tie rod has some play in it
and I"m sure needs replacing as it has not been replaced since I have
owned the van. So is it recommended to do both sides? The other side
seems tight but I would hate to do this and need another alignment a
week later. I've never done these before any things to watch out for?
Thanks
Kevin
87 Westy EJ22
Vashon WA
--
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.21.4/1313 - Release Date: 3/5/2008
9:50 AM