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Just replaced tie rod ends, now has very loose steering


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AustinFW
New User

Dec 28, 2015, 12:26 PM

Post #1 of 4 (1541 views)
Just replaced tie rod ends, now has very loose steering Sign In

2005
Saturn L300
3.0L V6
145K miles

I just replaced both front end, outer tie rod ends on the vehicle and I did my best to put everything back as not to mess up the alignment but of course since this was the first time I have attempted such a project I didn't get it as close as I thought. So the steering wheel is cocked to the left when the tires are straight, but I can take it in for an alignment to fix that (hopefully). However there is an excessive play in the steering wheel now and it doesn't feel quite as safe when driving, and it was all practically perfect before.

What might I have messed up that is now causing the excessive play and how can I fix it, as I don't believe a mechanic shop will fix that as part of the alignment. Well at least not without a lot more money out of pocket.


P.S. One tie rod end was hard to get off and I may have rotated the tie rod to far trying to get it off and mahy not have rotated it back exactly the same amount. Maybe that caused it?

Thanks


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Dec 28, 2015, 12:52 PM

Post #2 of 4 (1537 views)
Re: Just replaced tie rod ends, now has very loose steering Sign In

Kind of hard to say what went wrong with your repair that caused loose steering.

Doesn't matter how close you get when it comes to replacing tie rods. It will still need an alignment regardless.

Don't know if this is dangerous to drive, but you might want to get a professional's second set of eyes on there to see what is going on and to recheck your work.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Dec 28, 2015, 2:05 PM

Post #3 of 4 (1529 views)
Re: Just replaced tie rod ends, now has very loose steering Sign In

I agree. I wouldn't be driving it.



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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jan 1, 2016, 4:06 PM

Post #4 of 4 (1495 views)
Re: Just replaced tie rod ends, now has very loose steering Sign In

As said you can't just eye with new parts.
If you messed it up bad enough there's normal freeplay if wildly off to one side which can account for play and you'll notice wheel doesn't center and turns too many counts lock to lock.
This vehicle shouldn't be driven like this. Alignment shops also know what parts go wrong and do the work. No telling what got messed up?


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