Tie rod replacement?

[viper-blue]

Hey Guys

Anyone know if the tie rods are replaceable on a 4th gen crx? The boot went on my drivers side and now I have noticable play in the inner tie rod joint...I am not talking about the tie rod end. On most domestics I've worked on they are easily replaceable, but on my 89 crx it looks to me like the whole rack has to be replaced...Am I right?

[CRXperiment]

No, you can replace outer tie rod ends on all Hondas. If the boot is cracked and there is play in the outer rod end like you said, then you should replace it. You need to open the locking nut (19mm?) thats holding on the outer end to the inner one, then separate the outer tie rod from the knuckle. Do this by taking off the 17mm castle nut from each outer tie rod and prying the rod ends from the knuckle. You can use jaw-pullers, but i figure since your gonna throw the old one out anyway, you can just use a pickle fork. Also, MAKE SURE TO GET AN ALIGNMENT after replacing outer tie rods.

[FrodoGT]

No, I think hes talking about the ball joint on the rack..

[CRXperiment]

Oh my bad, in that case, its generally not practical to replace just the ball joint boot on the tie rod end. I dont do dumbestics so i didnt know what you meant exactly.

[viper-blue]

Frodo is right. I am talking about the ball joint on the rack..My manual doesn't make any reference to this part. As I said most domestics I've worked on can have this part replaced it screws right into the rack and pinion assembly. Its not the end I need to replace its the drivers side tie rod cause the ball joint part that connects the tie rod to the rack and pinion is loose and has play...Is it replaceable?

[FrodoGT]

Mine was loose as well, on the drivers side.. I replaced the whole rack, but thats just me, I was fed up with wearing tires, and pulling in either direction from throttle, and having to hold the wheel one way when I brake or accelerate, did that for a year..grr makes my teeth grind thinking about it.

[Hybrid1990crx]

Originally Posted by FrodoGT

and pulling in either direction from throttle

that has nothing to do with alignmens dude. thats all torque steer, which is pretty much impossible to correct. maybe you should learn something before you open your mouth.

[viper-blue]

should i assume by all this talk that I'm right and the tie rod itself is not replaceable?

[CRXperiment]

Originally Posted by Hybrid1990crx

that has nothing to do with alignmens dude. thats all torque steer, which is pretty much impossible to correct. maybe you should learn something before you open your mouth.

Hey hybrid, my rex does the same thing and pulls to the right. I just had it aligned but my camber is off since its lowered about 2 inches. Could camber have anything to do with this "torque steer"? Will camber kits fix this?

Sorry if i'm jacking the thread: viper-blue, the tie rod is replacable, the ball joint can be replaced when you replace your outer tie rods as seen here:
http://market.autopartsfair.com/hond...torhomesonsale

[FrodoGT]

Hey Hybrid, I understand what the hell torque steer is, im not completely retarded (mildly maybe), but when my damn wheel changes toe when I go on and off throttle, thats not torque steer. And it no longer does it whatsoever, even with a bad alignment I can go on and off throttle at will with no correction to the wheel.

[FrodoGT]

Originally Posted by CRXperiment

Sorry if i'm jacking the thread: viper-blue, the tie rod is replacable, the ball joint can be replaced when you replace your outer tie rods as seen here:
http://market.autopartsfair.com/hond...torhomesonsale

Wrong ball joint.

[viper-blue]

thanx anyhow guys. I did say in my origional statement that it was not the tie rod end I needed to replace...but the inner one. I do appreciate all the input anyhow.