Tie Rod End Question

I understand that where the tie rod end connects to the spindle can get worn out. But can the tie rod end where it attaches to the rack and pinion get worn out?

I am getting some bad cupping in my front tires. I have just replaced all of my ball joints, lolly pops, sway bar end links and sway bar frame bushings. The outer ends of my tie rods look good, no play, but it looks like the tie rod is moving where it attaches to the rack and pinion. Thanks for the advice!

Yes. Replace the inner/outer tierods. I normall see the inner tie rods on E36s wear out before the outer.....

Absolutely, inner tie rods can definitely wear.

Sent from my LG Revolution 4G using BimmerApp

Thanks guys. Looks like my front end will be nearly brand new before I take it to be aligned!

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide using Bimmer App

That's the best way to do it. Just replace everything up there and get ONE alignment. The parts are cheap enough.

Originally Posted by ZeGerman

That's the best way to do it. Just replace everything up there and get ONE alignment. The parts are cheap enough.

totally agree with this. But I don't know about inner wearing faster than outer. The outer tie rod has the ball joint that connects to the hubs. That seems to go first.

And the inner has a ball joint, too. Although the range of movement isn't much, it still wears, particularly if the boot is compromised.

Most people just buy the complete tie rod, inner and outer as one piece. If you have to get an alignment anyway, throwing a couple of extra bucks to replace the whole things makes the most sense to me.

It is "recommended" that you get the proper thin wrench to remove the inner tie rod end. I did it with a pair of channel locks without issue.

Craig

When buying tie rods, be sure to also buy new tie rod locking plates (you need two). They are 1-time use only.

And don't get anything but lemforder or meyle parts. Less quality parts are JUNK. (fem, febi