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tj924 · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 2:20 pm Post subject: New Tie Rods ends

Had the car in for a 4-wheel alignment today & the guy told me they couldn't do it cause the steering rack was stuffed. He showed me the play in the front right wheel & it is quite noticable. He clarified what he meant by saying the steering rack end is worn & needs replacement. Other side isn't as bad but also needs replacing.

Took it to a steering specialist as the tyre place where I was getting the alignment done didn't have the tools to work on the steering. He took a look & said it was the tie rod ends that need replacing. He said this was the opposite end of the steering rack from what the other guy was talking about.

So, assuming it is the Tie Rod Ends that need replacing, do I just need to get two of them (P/N 477419815, one for each side, $33 each at Performance 9) + labour ($160 including the 4-wheel alignment)? Would it be something I could replace myself (limited skill & tools)?

Performance 9 also has a "Tie Rod Asy L/R 924 76-85", part number 477419803B for $154. Any idea what that would be vs the "Tie Rod End 924/Turbo" for $33?
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TJ
Silver '82 924 NA 5-Speed Manual

gohim · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 4459 Location: Rialto, CA

Removing and replacing the outer tie rod ends is a simple job that can be done in a few minutes, if you have a tie rod end remover.

Did you get a breakdown of the costs from your mechanic?

To replace the outer tie rod ends, the process goes something like this.

Raise the front of the car, and place jackstands.

Remove the front wheels.

Remove the nut from the tierod end.

Press the spindle out with a tie rod end remover.

Pick a reference point on the threaded rod, loosen the lock nut on the tie rod end, then unscrew the tie rod end, taking care to count the number of turns until the tier rod end comes off the threads.

Now take the new tie rod end, and screw it on the same number turns that you used to remove the old tie rod end.

Lock the tie rod end in place by jamming the nut against the tie rod end. Reinstall the stud. Use a torque wrench to tighten the nut that holds the stud into place.

If you are a little off when you install the new tie rod end, that's okay, because you are paying the mechanic to do the four wheel alignment.

Smoothie · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 3:07 pm Post subject:

The tie rod end is just item #13 here -

A tie rod assembly includes #10, #14 and #13.
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"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."

'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

Khal · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 3:08 pm Post subject:

Just had this done not too long ago on my car, tj924. Let me get back to you tomorrow. I can't remember off hand what it cost but I vaguely recall it being ~AU$180 per side.

Of course, the Turbo steering may well be different to the NA steering..?

Anyways, I'll let you know tomorrow.
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'80 924 Turbo

tj924 · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 4:01 pm Post subject:

Khal · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 4:07 pm Post subject:

Yes, I had more than the tie-rod ends done.

But the bill is itemised. I was just going to let you know what parts I had put in. You seemed a little unsure above...
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'80 924 Turbo

tj924 · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 4:37 pm Post subject:

tj924 · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 5:19 pm Post subject:

Should the left- and right-hand tie rod ends have different part numbers?
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TJ
Silver '82 924 NA 5-Speed Manual

leadfoot · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 6:03 pm Post subject:

pull back the rubber boot at the rack end(nearest the rack) and grab the round pivot cup and the rod and give the rod an up and down shake... this will tell you if you need the whole rod replaced as the ball will vibrate inside the cup. There should be no play.
A picklebone is the tool you use to remove the outer rod end and you will need one to do the job easily.
Removing the rod end is an hour job at the most for both sides. Mark the positions on the rack with electrical tape before you unscrew them.
Put the old and new tie rods side by side and measure the lengths. You screw on the rod end to reduce overall length. Then replace and drive straight to alignment shop.
Change both sides at the same time to avoid having an alignment issue shortly in the future.
Leadfoot.
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1981 ROW 924 Turbo -
carbon fiber GT mish mash
LS1 conversion in progress...

Ozzie · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 7:59 pm Post subject:

This may sound silly but try CBC bearings or Consolidated bearings or SKF.
Being in Toowoomba there should be one there.
I get harmonic seals, diff and gearbox seals and tie rod ends. Even timing belts.
$5.80 - harmonic oil pump seal against $23 dealer price.
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Porsche 924 1984 (UK import) NA
Its AUTO and its BLACK
Montego Black on black/red
Engineer of Electro/Mechanical Systems Maintenance

tj924 · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 9:10 pm Post subject:

Ozzie · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 8:12 am Post subject:

I used part no's from PET and if that don't work take one in.
_________________
Porsche 924 1984 (UK import) NA
Its AUTO and its BLACK
Montego Black on black/red
Engineer of Electro/Mechanical Systems Maintenance

Khal · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 8:42 am Post subject:

OK, here's the story on what T&D did to mine:

They removed the tie-rod "bars" (which I assume is the the rod/arm/bar itself plus the tie-rod ends at both ends of the assembly) they put the boots on the new rods, fitted the new rods, greased the rack and fitted boots to the steering rack. They also fitted some new nuts and pins to the tie-rod ends. It cost AU$112 to do this.

Then they did the wheel alignment, which was AU$37.50.

The tie-rod assemblies were AU$168 each, plus about AU$20 for shipping and a few nuts and bolts.

On top of this, they fitted a new steering collar bearing (AU$28 + $56 labour) but you probably don't have to worry about that -and I they included some other wiring fix-ups in that

The steering feels like new now

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'80 924 Turbo

Ozzie · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 9:03 am Post subject:

I think the difference in parts & price could have something to do with the 4 or 5 bolt setup.
Could the knuckle and tie rod end have changed in size?
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Porsche 924 1984 (UK import) NA
Its AUTO and its BLACK
Montego Black on black/red
Engineer of Electro/Mechanical Systems Maintenance

Khal · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 9:44 am Post subject:

OK, the mechanic told me that he could get the whole assembly cheaper than he could buy the individual parts. BOTH tie-rod ends, the rack end AND the hub end, were replaced on my car and also the rod itself and any associated nuts and bolts and pins (parts 10 - 16 in Smoothies pic, above).

I'm guessing the AU$33 part that tj924 mentions in his first post is #13 in Smoothies pic (maybe 14, 15 & 16 as well) and the AU$154 part is the other end, #10, 11 & 12 in Smoothies pic...
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'80 924 Turbo