Blues13

I just installed some used JIC coilovers and I've noticed some squeaking, creaking, clunking noises coming from where the front left coilover is. At first I thought the coilovers were loose and re-tightened all the bolts. The noise is still there so I'm pretty sure it's the Tie Rod and ends.. I knew they were a bit worn before, but it didn't make noises except on sharp u-turns on the stock suspension. From searching the forums, this sounds to be the case of the tie rods.. am I right in my assumption?

I'm also going to drive down to LA from SF this weekend, I was wondering if it is dangerous to drive in this condition? Will the tie ends break off? It's making a considerably amount of noise when I turn slightly.. but I am planning to get some new tie rods while I'm down in LA. Will I make it??

thanks.

btw, it's a 90 s13.. on JIC FLT-1s.

citizen

Have someone who knows what to look for try and locate the noise while you turn the wheel. Check to see if theres play in your steering rack retainer bushings, they may be causing the noise also. How does the steering feel on the car?

Wei240

or it could be your tension rods or t/c rods, just go look and see if either the tension/t/c rods or your outer tie rod end has gooey stuff coming out and the rubbery piece is falling off...

Blues13

The steering feels pretty much the same, the 55 profile dunlops on mine have pretty soft sidewall so it's hard to tell. When I turn the steering a little when I'm not moving you can hear it squeal a little.. almost as if the coilovers are moving.

Yea, so let's say there's gooey stuff and the bushings are gone... can I still drive it in this condition for a while?

I'm gonna get under the car tommorow for a better look... thanks for the responses so far.

citizen

If you are in Sausalito anytime i can take a look at it for you.

kpxchonnom

does ur car steer more to left o rright? if it does it's mostlikely ur caster arm

SimpleS14

Funny...I had the same case with my car. I bought some used Kei Office coilovers and in less than 3 days I noticed a klunking noise when making slow, sharp turns. The bushings in my T/C rods was the case....so I order some SPLs and drove my car around as is. So...I'm still driving with the bust T/C rods and then I make a sharp unhill/downhill turn then BAM...I hear even more klunky noise. At first I thought I messed up the coilover...since they were used....but once I took off my wheel I saw that I busted my tie-rod end bushing on the driver side (left). I drove my car like this for almost a month....GAWD...it was so fucking annoying. Install the T/C rods first..and that got rid of the slow speed turn klunking. Then once I got my tie-rods installed that stopped the klunky noise over bumps and harsh ride. BASICALLY...I suggest you examine your car and look for anything leaking or busted. Usually when you modify your suspension (shocks/springs) you should upgrade all (or most) of the rods. Because the wear on them will greatly increase....IMO. Also...if you choose to replace those parts....GET AN ALIGNMENT ASAP.

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Blues13

citizen - thanks.. I might take u up on that offer, if you have time before sat just hit me up.. I'll PM you. I can try to meet up whenever's good for you.

The car steers pretty straight, doesn't seem to be much of a difference except the clunking and screetching noises, although if I hit a bump it does feel loose.

Yea, I'm gonna go down to LA and get me some tension and tie rods.. nothing feels better than replacing a broken part with a better one because you have to.. no guilt about spending all that money! Ok, a little less guilt..

Sounds good then, I'll prob end up driving with it.. if I die and u see my on the news.. u can tell the authorities what happened.. ha.

AadosX

Kick ass. Yeah, I just installed my TEIN HE and had the exact same slow-turn clunking coming from the left front wheel. I looked around in there and sure enough there was what looked to be like a gone bushing on the tie rod end. But someone told me that there aren't bushings on the tie rod ends... so I'm confused. I'm already planning on getting new T/C rods, but what else should I do to fix this problem? Should I just buy new tie rods? I'm also about to get RUCA's... and I'm wondering if there are any more "rods" I should get heh. Thanks...!

SimpleS14

who told you there aren't bushings on the tie-rod ends? Maybe its not called a bushing...but more like a ball joint...but still...if that goes bad you will know. Here is a pic of my bad tie-rod end...

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Wei240

front - tension rod, inner/outer tie rod
rear - ruca, traction rod, toe rod
both - lower arms

Wei240

go to spl's website, they have a diagram and brief description...

AadosX

Yeh my tie rod end looks even a million times worse, that thing that's breaking on yours is GONE on my car. So will new hard tie rods just take care of all of that? Do I need inner and outter? or..., I'm confused... grr.

Wei240

depends, the one on the picture that's busted is the outer tie rod end, get pillowb and it'll solve that, people change inner rods for couple reasons, stock one is puny and prone to breaking/snapping when pushed hard (wouldn't have to worry about this if you're driving normally) and some have an option of providing more turning angle

Wei240

oh yeah, the hard tie rods shown from spl or the jic, that's the inner one only, alot of $$$, but it's super beefy, or you can go tein which is about 160 for inner and outer, but i don't think the outer end is pillowball? but it still gives you an option of using the spacer for better turning angle on the inner rod

SimpleS14

I replaced both....because I got TIEN tie-rods and it came as a set of both inner and outer. This is because you can't mixed and match TIEN rods with OEM ones. If your on a budget...try looking at MOOG...however..I hear they are just the same as OEM.

BTW....changing the T/C rods and tie-rods got rid of the annoying sounds and improved the car's ride and handling.

__________________
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MA240SX
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Blues13

Okay, just looked at my tie-rod and it looks just like the one in the pic.. thanks 95kouki for the pic. Guess I'll be replacing that first..

SimpleS14

You welcome....I wish I had a pic of my busted T/C rods. Basically if they look worn and leaking goo....I suggest you replace them (or get new bushings pressed).

__________________
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MA240SX
L.H.O.O.Q.

HyperTek

Had that problem last year, swapped to Tein Tierods and ends.

Temporary fix for that, spray the joint with WD40, that will shut it up for a while.

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