Seaway Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 After installing the new control arms and the new IPD rear sway bar I tool the car in to be aligned. The tech doing the alignment wouldn't do it because I need a new tie rod end on the driver's side. I know the tech and trust him, plus he showed me the play in the ball joint.My question is, should I just do the outer tie rods or the inners as well? The tech seemed to think the outer was all I needed. Further, is there a brand I should steer clear of when ordering? I will be doing both sides and then taking it back to be aligned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fran9690 Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 You generally only need to replace them as they fail. So if the LF outer tie rod is the only one that has play, that's all you should need to replace. You don't NEED to do the RF, but if you want to as a PM kind of thing, then go for it. Saves you an alignment if for some reason, the RF gets play in the near future. Lemforder is the one I would go with, they are the ones that make them for Volvo and you can get them fairly affordable if you get them online vs. dealer. Just make sure you get it aligned immediately or you will trash your tires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlapShot Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 I bought TRW inners and genuine Volvo outers when I did mine. Inners aren't too much more work but if you don't need them just do the outers. You'll need to rent a pickle fork if you dont have one.As far as brands go: I've used TRW, Lemforder, Moog, Meyle, and Volvo parts without any issues over the years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seaway Posted October 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 Sounds like I will just do the outers then. If the control arms are any indication, they need to both be changed. The tutorials I watched and read said the ball joint could be hammered out from below, do I need a pickle fork? I have an air hammer, so I guess I may as well get one. I am ready for a maintenance break. In the last week I have done the sway bar, control arms, fuel filter, front rotors, upper engine firewall mount and front engine mount. Two weeks prior I put in a CJ Yother down pipe. My back hurts from laying on the ground.I am doing this in preparation to swap in a 19t. Thought I might as well get ahead of things while I could. All this stuff pushes back the time line a bit, but it should be worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlapShot Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 I've never used an air hammer but Autozone rents pickle forks for free (refundable deposit). Very straightforward job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seaway Posted October 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 Sounds good, thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
volvoguy23 Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 Never seen a bad inner tie rod on these cars, very rare for an Oem one to fail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jh4music Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 I just did outer tie rods and control arms on my wifes s70 a few weeks ago. When I initially looked at it, there were 3 loose parts. After replacing those 3, the 4th part (I forget which one) was loose. So I would guess if the other side isn't loose now, it will be in the near future, or it's just not moving because the other side is so weak. The cost of the tie rods is so insignificant, I would recommend just doing both outers together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oreo931 Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 Never seen a bad inner tie rod on these cars, very rare for an Oem one to fail.Terrible advice.OP - If the car has over 100k miles and the tie rods are original, I would suggest replacing everything if you can afford it - inners and outers on both sides. The tie rods are wear and tear parts. Also, I've never needed a pickle fork to replace the tie rods on these cars. It's probably helpful, but definitely not required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
volvoguy23 Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 Wasn't giving advice, just stating my opinion based on my experiences. And based off that I've rarely had to replace inner tie rods on a p80. So to help reassure the op, you will be fine with just replacing the outers. But there is nothing wrong with replacing everything but if you wanna save time and money just replace the outers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seaway Posted October 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 I have ordered both outers since they appear to be similar vintage. I can't imagine they are original as the car has 193k on it. Upon closer inspection with a flashlight last night, the boots on both ball joints are cracking, so replacing both seems like a no brainer. Since I have an air hammer and like tools, I went ahead and ordered a pickle fork set as well. It can't hurt to have them if needed, and if not, I can surely use them for something in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jh4music Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 Pickle fork is nice to have but not crucial, another trick is to pound on the end of the steering knuckle, the tie rod will "pop out" after a few hits. This is especially useful if you are removing a tie rod you do not want to replace... a pickle for can damage the boot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seaway Posted October 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 Yeah, the tutorials I read all said to just hit it with a big hammer/small sledge. I don't care how they come out as long as they come out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuner4life Posted October 14, 2015 Report Share Posted October 14, 2015 I'd do them all. Inners, outers, and the rubber boots. If one is bad, chances are that the others are not far behind. Then it will only need to be aligned once. As far as brand, I'd use lemforder, or OEM as first choice. I've had good luck with Meyle, but heard mixed reviews. I'd steer clear of TRW. I had both TRW inners fail within a year. Replaced with Lemforder about 3 years ago and still no play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seaway Posted October 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2015 Installed new Meyle outer tie rod ends this morning. The old ones were definitely shot. It was an easy job.I also replaced the remaining original transverse arm bolts in the rear. I had to use the air hammer to get them out as they were severely corroded. I then got the car aligned.The steering feels a lot better now and I am ready to move on to the rear shocks and then the 19t turbo swap. It never ends... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.