98 Metro Inner Tie Rod Boot Clamp Question?

[doug2060]

Hello, I just replaced my inner tie rod on my 98 Metro. I had a real hard time getting one by the way. It seems that with 98 and up the dealership and parts stores say you have to by the entire rack & pinion which is several hundred dollars. I did find one through the autozone website for around $36 after shipping even after the store said they couldn't get it. This was the only place I could find it online too. It went on perfectly but it is somewhat different. My boot clamps would not go back on this new one properly because the rod is shaped differently. I opted to use thick black zip ties for the time being. Is this an OK alternative or should I find clamps to fit it. They are very tight and seem sufficient to keep debris from entering.

[Airjer_]

There have been many a inner tie rod end boot secured with zip ties!

[Johnny Mullet]

Zip Ties for the win

[doug2060]

Thanks, Now I have to get a new alignment. I tried to get it as close as I could but still pulling hard left. What really sucks is that I just had that done 2 months back... You think they would have noticed it when they were setting it the last time...

[Airjer_]

Toe will not cause a pull! If you let go of the steering wheel and the car takes off to the left you have another issue (an alignment may or may not solve)! Toe will cause the steering wheel to be off one way or another, as you drive the center of the wheel will be off to the left or right but will still drive straight).

[doug2060]

I don't know much about alignments but it was fine before I put the tie rod in. If it pushes the wheel in or out further than where it's supposed to be I'm sure it will have some affect other than the steering wheel position.

[Airjer_]

Nope toe does not affect anything other than the steering wheel position. If it is far enough off it will cause the tread to feather. It will not cause a pull!

[doug2060]

OK, I see. I should rephrase it. It does not pull but if I line the wheel up straight it goes left. I worked on it a bit today and after a while got it back to dead center and it responds equally each way. Does this correct the problem or should I take it in for another alignment?

[Airjer_]

Its a common misunderstanding. A pull is present when you let go off the steering wheel and the car drifts to the right or left. If you let go of the wheel and it drives straight than there is no pull. When the toe is off on one side it will cause the steering wheel to be off of center. The steering wheel is centered as a result of setting toe equally on both sides. Just because the steering wheel is centered or close does not mean that the proper toe has been achieved. There is no way to eyeball this!

[doug2060]

Thats what I needed to know. I didn't mess with the other side of the car. I just lined the steering wheel up adjusting the side with the new tie rod. I will take it in for alignment sometime later in the week. Thanks...