The List Keeps Growing

New Problems: I replaced the left front wheel hub a couple of years ago and I thought I was going to have to do it again. I've now figured out that I have a loose tie rod. It seems to be isolated to the inner part. How hard is it to replace this and should I replace the outer tie rod at the same time? Also, the front end feels like a log wagon when I hit a bump. Should I replace the struts, and is this a fairly simple job?

...It seems to be isolated to the inner part. How hard is it to replace this ...? ...Also, the front end feels like a log wagon when I hit a bump. Should I replace the struts, and is this a fairly simple job?....

I don't know the answer to number one, but I'm curious to know as well.

How many miles on the van?

I replaced the front and rear shocks on mine at about 70,000 miles.

Hope you have the patience to take all the 'stuff' out of your way (wiper assembly and such) in order to replace the shocks.

Also, you should replace the shock mounts too while you have the shocks out.

What condition is the outer joint? If it's clean, moves freely, and looks otherwise in good condition, then you can probably reuse it. It's one of those "do you replace it now while it's convenient, or do you not and it might have to get replaced some time in the near future" type of things.

If you replace it now, you know it most likely will be good for a long time to come. Plus you only need to get 1 alignment. If you reuse it, you still will be out the money but you will need to get a 2nd alignment.

The struts are not hard to replace, just a PITA to get to them because of all the stuff in the way as the above post mention. Plan on a good afternoon. I also would highly recommend taking the struts to a shop to do the actual replacement. It's worth the few bucks in labor it will cost just from a safety aspect alone.

I replaced the tierod yesterday. I figured while I was there I might as well replace the outer as well as the inner. For the life of me, I could not get the locknut to come off so I ended up cutting the rod into. Only thing it did was make it a little more diffucult to match the old and new lengths. Overall I got them pretty close though, doesn't seem to be driving sideways. Could not find a torque spec for the outer tierod bottom bolt. Just used force.