[henno]

Since getting the Soup Kitchen back from the thieves that stole her, the steering has quickly become rather... vague. Nothing like driving a sierra vague, but on the highway in these strong westerly winds this week she has had a tendency to want to walk all over the road a bit (particularly when I had the kayak on the roof). I haven't fuly jacked her up on stands yet, but there is definitely some play when giving the wheel a wiggle and/or when the girlfriend wobbles the steering wheel from side-to-side.

So a few questions:

1. The tie rods ends are definitely a bit worn; no question about that. Should I simply replace the outers or should I order the inners as well and replace the lot?
2. Is there anything else that 'could' be causing the play, or is it more than likely the tie rod ends seeing as I know they are worn?
3. In which case, should I just replace the tie rod ends only, put it all together (counting turns off and turns on, to get it at least close to aligned) and see if there is still play before sending it off for an alignment?
4. Is buying no-name, aftermarket bits from Ebay safe enough or should I pony up the cash for genuine stuff from Suzuki?

Thanks, GV owners more experienced than I.

[Built4thrashing]

They are cheap enough..... Would be silly just to replace the outers....


Cost about $50 per side for the parts and is reasonably simple to swap..... Helps if you have a 30mm spanner for the inner arms.

[henno]

Built4thrashing wrote:

Helps if you have a 30mm spanner for the inner arms.

I have plenty of spanners; not an issue.

Built4thrashing wrote:

They are cheap enough..... Would be silly just to replace the outers.... Cost about $50 per side for the parts and is reasonably simple to swap.

That is what I thought. Upon jacking the car up half an hour ago, it's really only the left hand outer that has any play (albeit quite a bit). Where is the best place to buy them? I saw this on ebay but I am worried it might be a little cheap and nasty and/or a terrible casting and shitty rubber?

Also, when you replace the whole rod, did you even try to maintain any semblance of alignment or did you simply bang them in, check that there is no more play in the steering and then book in for a wheel alignment asap? I was thinking a measurement of rod length pin-to-pin before removal would at least get close-ish?

[bohuler]

When removing tie rod ends count the number of turns it takes to unwind them off. Then write it in the wheel arch with white out or a crayon so when you wind the new one on you will get the alignment atleast close enough to make the car driveable to get an alignment done.

Dave

[ozzycouch]

henno wrote:

2. Is there anything else that 'could' be causing the play

Try checking the idler arm, mine come has come loose a few times.
Fixed the same symptoms of vagueness.

[Built4thrashing]

ozzycouch wrote:

henno wrote:

2. Is there anything else that 'could' be causing the play

Try checking the idler arm, mine come has come loose a few times.
Fixed the same symptoms of vagueness.

GV's have a steering rack so doesn't have an idler arm.

[ozzycouch]

Built4thrashing wrote:

GV's have a steering rack so doesn't have an idler arm.

Well wont be that then! Back to my corner.

[Built4thrashing]

ozzycouch wrote:

Built4thrashing wrote:

GV's have a steering rack so doesn't have an idler arm.

Well wont be that then! Back to my corner.

Bye Bye