Hi, I have a bent inner tied-rod on the drivers side (LHD). I just had an alignment done and the tech showed me, it clearly is bent, although not terribly bad (I guess). When grabbing with pliers and rotating, it is obvious that it isn't straight. Also worth mentioning is the rubber boot is torn, just where the clamp secures the boot to the tie-rod, there still is the piece of rubber under the clamp, but it is not attached to the boot. I believe I could tie-wrap what remains of the boot, as otherwise it is in fine shape.

Anyhow, my question: does this really warrant the need to replace? The alignment tech says there is no way to know if when he sets the toe, if the tie-rod will rotate with normal use, and if so, if this will cause the toe to be off. Does anyone know for sure if this is something that needs to be done?

I was quoted $1200 for parts and labor, including flush of the system. I don't know if that is for a used or refurbished rack.

Also, I understand inner tie-rod ends are not available, so a full rack replacement is needed. Has there been generally a good experience with refurbished steering racks?

 

Well when you said the inner tie rod was not sold separately I had to check and sure enough I can't find a separate listing for it.

That's ridiculous, I use to work for TRW in their steering and suspension division in a factory that made all the steering components for Ford, VW and GM. We made the ball joints, inner and outer tie rods and the pinion for the rack and pinion steering gear. There is absolutely no reason why the inner tie rod cannot be changed separately on the XK8. I've had my boots/gator off and the inner tie rod looks just like the tie rods we made for Ford Escorts. I would guess if you can match up the thread on the rack that a substitute part could be found.

The boot/gator being torn is an issue. If dirt gets into the rack end and reunions the seal you are diff entry looking at replacing the rack.

 

Inner tie rods are available. I installed them on my car about 3 months ago. Now, for the life of me, I can't remember where I got them. I'll do some searching.

 

Here you go. Beck Arnley 101 7364 Inner Tie Rod End | eBay

There are others available on Ebay. I don't think this is where I got mine, but they are available.

 

Thanks johns55, I knew they had to be available.

 

I did some research too since my post. I found plenty of threads on the forum indicating they aren't available, then found that someone bought one from Coventry West, and sure enough, they have a listing.

I think I will order one up.

Thx

 

Question though, does anyone know if a slightly bent tie rod really is an issue?

 

My guess is a slightly bend tie rod shouldn't be a big issue. There might be extra wear on the ball joint and if bent enough, it might make getting a proper alignment difficult. Also, it may make the steering on that wheel not as liner as the other.

Just a guess.

 

Thx John. I ordered up 2 Beck/Arnley 101-7364 inner tied rods, new boots, and new outer tie rod ends. I figure if I have a torn boot, replace it, and since I am in there, put new outer on, and heck, do both sides...cheap money.

Now I am concerned after ordering the 101-7364, all of the info I find on the Internet says this fits up to 2003 MY. That is confusing. I had thought all of the xk8 racks were the same? Does anyone know for sure if this 101/7364 will fit?

 

You should be good to go with those inner rod ends for your '04 XK8. While there are a few different racks used depending on year and suspension package, the inner tie rods are the same for all XK8s up through 2006.

 

Thank you Very much Bryan!

 

Nice to see you here Bryan. I've ordered quite a few parts from Coventry West in my restoration project. The service has been excellent.

 

Hi Steve,

Theoretically it should matter if your Tie-rod looked like a pretzel. The key elements are the relative locations of the ball joints at the end of the steering rack and on the vertical link. The horizontal distance between the two relationship is obvious, but that is set when your mechanic adjusts the toe-in. The vertical relationship can be important to controlling bump-steer, but that relationship is maintained by your suspension spring values. What happens between the ball joints shouldn't matter, so long as their relationship to each other is maintained.

I doubt there is a need to change the tie-rod so long as your mechanic can adjust to proper alignment specs. However, this is just my opinion based on logic and past experiences with a bent tie-rod, albeit on a non-Jaguar car.

 

I got the inner tie rods out, simple enough job. New tie rods should be here tomorrow. Bought both inner and outer. While doing this I noticed the lower shock bushing on driver side is shot, so just ordered a set of Bilsteine shocks, they should be here Tuesday. Took out the shock/spring assembly (left and right) so I am ready for when the shocks arrive.

 

Steve,

Good progress. Always nice to hear.

Bilsteins? Hmmm, .... Do you have the Active SS suspension on the car? Mine ('03 XKR) does and I wonder what I'll have to replace them with someday - and NOT get a slew of suspension failure codes afterward (or blow $Ks at the dealer).

 

Thanks Jim. I can't beleive the bushings are so expensive and it makes sen$e to replace the entire shock. I guess 100k mile shocks can stand to be replaced though.

I don't have the active suspension. I think I read several posts on the forum where owners have replaced the CATS shocks with standard Bilsteines, and I think there is a way to prevent the error messages. I haven't seen any recent posts on the subject.

 

Just unplug the CATS control in the boot and the messages are gone.

I replaced the front (CATS) shocks over the holiday and am going to see if Bilstein can/will rebuild the old ones. It might be a more cost effective option than finding new.

Called this last week but they were closed for the holidays until tomorrow.

 

Charlie, did you get anywhere with Bilstien rebuilding shocks? I ask because I ordered the standard shocks but found out no distributor in the USA has any right now, they are on back order, and they left Europe on a boat December 1 2014 supposedly. ETA is near end of January.

 

Maybe I jumped the gun on no Bilsteine shocks anywhere in the USA. Two different suppliers cancelled my orders, and 2 others showed back ordered online. I tried summit racing, their website showed available, so I called and talked to a real person, who said they are in stock and I will have them tomorrow, let's see.

Btw, I can spell and type better than most of my posts seem to indicate, but my iPad is terrible to type on, espessially the awful auto correct, so my apologies for my sometimes crP spelling and grammar.

 

Called today and got a negative on the rebuild from Bilstein. They will not work on the crimped style, and that's what we have.

Avos proved that it can be done, so it is just a matter of finding someone who is willing to do it.