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davethehypnotist · Joined: 16 Jan 2015 Posts: 29 Location: Georgia

My inner tie rods are "loose." They look physically fine but are just wobbly in the socket. They are also dry with zero lubrication. Should they be packed in grease? It seems like they may have been and it just wore away or evaporated. This is causing a lot of wiggle in the wheels between 35 and 45 mph. Should I pack them to limit this "play."

Also are there any crosses for replacements.

Thanks

Dave

morghen · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 9095 Location: Romania

buy new ones
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fiat22turbo · Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Posts: 4040 Location: Portland, OR

Replace them.
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Stefan
1979 924 Carrera GTS (clone-ish)
1988 944 Turbo S (Silver Rose)

dubrict · Joined: 22 Apr 2011 Posts: 150 Location: Horseheads NY

I know this won't be very helpful if somebody else doesn't chime in but I used the inner tie rods from some kind of 80's volkswagen, paired with the female-threaded tie rods from a 944 on my '79 NA. Worked like a charm

Part # was MOOG EV271 on the inners
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1979 924 NA
2009 Chevy Impala
2005 Dodge Dakota

daniel · Joined: 18 Jun 2009 Posts: 686 Location: Sydney, Australia

In answer to the question in your title, yes inner tie rods should always be packed with grease. As others have said replace the ones you have - I think you have to buy new tie rods complete as the ball is part of the tie rod? Been a while since ive has this part of my car apart...
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Over the top of skyline, total brake failure.... hit the wall at over 200 kp/h at the dipper, so anyone who has to brake for the esses is a pussy.
1977.5 Race Car, CAMS Group S Spec
1989 944 Cabriolet

leadfoot · Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2016 10:35 pm Post subject:

Correct, plastic ball socket is stuffed, new one required, rack end or tie rod comes as complete unit, rod ends can be bought separately.
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1981 ROW 924 Turbo -
carbon fiber GT mish mash
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davethehypnotist · Joined: 16 Jan 2015 Posts: 29 Location: Georgia

quote "Correct, plastic ball socket is stuffed,"

Mine are all metal on the ball and socket. This car only has 79k original miles and I put 5k on it myself.

Video is here:
https://youtu.be/mFcx5h0zUBw

Any tips on a replacement. I've found some for 120 but the ones for the Rabbit I tried to use were only $35 each for the inners.

jason c · Joined: 13 Jan 2014 Posts: 1018 Location: Nwi

brian19600 · Joined: 28 Oct 2013 Posts: 375 Location: NJ/CT

If you have loose tie rod ends you need change them like everyone is telling you. Grease is not the answer.

This is your steering...just as important as your brakes. Enough force can pop the ball out of the socket. Good luck steering then. I had a ball joint pop on me a couple years ago in my Fiero on a busy road. That was scary! The car immediately veered into oncoming traffic and I was almost powerless to do anything about it.

Rock Auto has tie rod ends for $10-20. rockauto.com
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78 924

leadfoot · Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 3:49 pm Post subject:

There a plastic/delrin?? Inner bushing that sits inside the metal housing... That's why there's play mate...
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1981 ROW 924 Turbo -
carbon fiber GT mish mash
LS1 conversion in progress...

davethehypnotist · Joined: 16 Jan 2015 Posts: 29 Location: Georgia

So I did pack the bearing with grease and it did make some improvement so I went to place it on the car just to check things out. It did reduce the play but as I was testing the whole unit I realized that the outer tie rod is also bad and has a lot of play. I put it back on the car so I can move the car.

I'll have to get new ones. No question.

I'm headed off to Arizona for two months and thought maybe I would drive it there but that's a no go. So I'll leave it covered until I get back from doing shows in Arizona for Feb and March. I'll be back in Atlanta in April so I'll fix it then and report back to the group.

Thanks for the comments and help.

Dave