Tie rod INNER ball joints replacement?

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Tie rod INNER ball joints replacement?

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Tie rod INNER ball joints replacement? - 4/22/2008 1:17:44 PM

GordoCatCar

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I am still tracking down a slight vibration in the steering wheel at speeds over 35mph while on a smooth road. How common is it to replace the tie rod inner ball joints?

I can see and hear freeplay in the drivers side tie rod inner ball joint. This is the ball joint which connects the tie rod to the steering rack, not the outer tie rod ball joint. The freeplay allows about 3-4mm of movement along the tie rod. Passenger side is slightly less, but there is some movement as well. It does seem like a lot of movement, but I have replaced nearly all my other suspensions bits, and have Roadforce balanced new tires... so I am searching here.

My theory is the freeplay is allowing wheels to shimmy, or flutter on their vertical axis. This motion can be dupicated with the car jacked up and pulling back and forth at the 9:3 positions on the tire. I am confident it is not the wheel bearings. gordo

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RE: Tie rod INNER ball joints replacement? - 4/22/2008 2:21:37 PM

ken@britishparts.com

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What kind of car?

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RE: Tie rod INNER ball joints replacement? - 4/22/2008 3:08:02 PM

GordoCatCar

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1997 XK8 Convertible. 65,000 miles. Suspension work for front end vibration to date:

Four (4) new Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 245x50 x17”

Balanced on Hunter Roadforce GSP 9700 balancer

Dial indicator hub runout: less than .05 inch
Rotor runout: less than .07 inch
Wheel runout at the rim: .020 inch

Upper control arm bushings, OEM four (4) each, both sides

Ball joint lower w/ wishbone (rear control arm) bushing, both sides

Shock absorber lower bushing, both sides

Checked all bolts and fasteners for tightness

I have ordered to Upper ball joints and Lower front control arm bushings. These pieces do not show diagnostic faults, however, I am replacing them anyway.

Which brings us to the point of this question: Inner Tie Rod Ball Joints….

(in reply to ken@britishparts.com)

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RE: Tie rod INNER ball joints replacement? - 4/22/2008 7:27:22 PM

FactoryJaguarTech

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Theoretically, it could cause a shimmy.

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RE: Tie rod INNER ball joints replacement? - 4/23/2008 7:53:44 AM

ken@britishparts.com

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I have inner tie rods for $115 each. Jaguar does not sell them separately. They come with the rack only from the dealer.

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Motorcars, Ltd. 800 338 5238 x626
www.motorcarsltd.com

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RE: Tie rod INNER ball joints replacement? - 4/23/2008 8:20:49 AM

FactoryJaguarTech

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I like that fact Ken....lol. Easy money for us techs to replace the rack.....

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RE: Tie rod INNER ball joints replacement? - 4/23/2008 8:30:03 AM

ken@britishparts.com

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No doubt about it. Pain in the xxx to get to inner tie rods. It's easier to do the whole thing. I hear ya, brother!

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Ken Karr
Motorcars, Ltd. 800 338 5238 x626
www.motorcarsltd.com

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RE: Tie rod INNER ball joints replacement? - 4/23/2008 11:00:50 AM

GordoCatCar

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Ha! While it may be easier for you "Techs" to replace the whole steering rack ... it is much easier for us DiY'rs to pay for only the parts we need. Word: Ebay $189 pair.

My Question was: Is this a common cause of front wheel shimmy? I guess the answer to which is No.

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97 XK8 Convertible; White w/Beige; 65K miles

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RE: Tie rod INNER ball joints replacement? - 4/23/2008 11:08:21 AM

FactoryJaguarTech

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It happens yes, but not common. Common-ness doesn't reflext at all on whether or not your problem is caused by this.

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If it ain't broke, don't fix it!!!

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RE: Tie rod INNER ball joints replacement? - 4/23/2008 12:55:03 PM

GordoCatCar

Posts: 168
Joined: 12/7/2007
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Thanks FJT... The question was posed as such, because I wanted to decide whether to first replace the last pair of control arm bushings and the upper ball joints... OR... replace the inner tie rod ends. If the inner tie rod ends had a reputation for failure, and causing the shakes, I would replace them first.

What the heck. I'm this far into it right now... That I'll probably replace both groups. At least I'll have confidence of a rebuilt front suspension minus the wheel bearings.

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97 XK8 Convertible; White w/Beige; 65K miles

(in reply to FactoryJaguarTech)

Post #: 10