Tie rod brand?

[mbc325]

Just picked up an 89 IS a week or so and I'm going through cleaning her up. She's got a broken tie rod protective boot and theres TONS of play in the tie rods so obviously they have to go. What brand tie rods should I go with? Or who should I stay away from?

And is there anything outside of the Bentley manual I should be aware of when doing the replacement? Is an alignment necessary right after?

[Smelser]

I havent pulled mine apart yet, but a key is to be patient if you dont have "heat" maybe start spraying penetrating fluid now to help. but now to answer the question I know something about

You will have to do an alignment. But without plates for caster/camber adjustment. You can do the align yourself with some string a couple jackstands and a measuring tape. If you have something for the tire to slide easily on it will go faster.

[mbc325]

I havent pulled mine apart yet, but a key is to be patient if you dont have "heat" maybe start spraying penetrating fluid now to help. but now to answer the question I know something about

You will have to do an alignment. But without plates for caster/camber adjustment. You can do the align yourself with some string a couple jackstands and a measuring tape. If you have something for the tire to slide easily on it will go faster.

Is there a guide around here for DIY alignments? Haven't seen anything like that.

[Philo]

Brand doesn't really matter. Lemforder will be the best quality, thus, last longer. Yes you need an alignment after you install the tie rod. I recommend doing it directly after the installation. It's suggested to replace both tie rods at the same time, as the other is probably on its way out (plus alignments can cost more than the parts itself).

You'll want to take it to an alignment shop if you're asking how to do it. It will save you time and money in the long run.

[mbc325]

Yeah I'm planning on replacing both of them at the same time. I want to do a E36 rack swap later on down the line, will I be able to use these new tie rods for that swap? That's kind of my determining factor right now on whether I should go through blunttech and spend the extra money or go with ebay brand for a temporary fix until I do the rack swap.

[Philo]

You can use E30 tie rods in an E36 rack. You'll most likely need another alignment after the steering rack swap.

[davem]

Is there a guide around here for DIY alignments? Haven't seen anything like that.

DIY that I used: http://www.e30tech.com/articles/steering/tierods/

As for brand, get Lemforder/Meyle - I ordered some e30 tierods made by TRW and they were slightly different, returned them and got Lemforders. Don't forget to get new "locking plates" (washer thingies) if you're doing the full assembly and not just the outer tierod ends.

[87_black_325is]

If you absolutely can't afford an alignment right away you can do the best you can to toe them in ever so slightly and drive as little as possible until you can afford to take it in.

[mbc325]

There's a Sears about 3 miles from my house down easy roads. If I take it slow and head straight there after I do the sweap I should be fine right?

[drumad]

yea, I think you're being a little too cautious

[mbc325]

yea, I think you're being a little too cautious

Never done this myself before bro, I don't have any idea what to look out for. Gotta start somewhere.