when your TR or BJ have play do you change them asap?

[packardbell]

Just wondering if you change your tie rod or balljoint when you start to have play, drive another 2000 kilomters or you wait till they break out to replace them.

[qaz393]

Just wondering if you change your tie rod or balljoint when you start to have play, drive another 2000 kilomters or you wait till they break out to replace them.

they should be replaced ASAP. but its very rare to have them complete break apart....

if you do plan on driving them till they break, then it will be dangerous when they break.....

[calgaryhhr]

I love when my BJ has a good amount of play.

[tebore]

I love when my BJ has a good amount of play.

Damn you beat me to it.

When I read a packardbell thread I get this impression.


You can do a lot of difficult repairs but then questions like this come up and I wonder if qaz393 and you are the same person and is just really bored.

Any time your tie-rods or ball joints have issues they should be replaced ASAP otherwise when they fail you'll end up like this guy.

[qaz393]

Damn you beat me to it.

When I read a packardbell thread I get this impression.

You can do a lot of difficult repairs but then questions like this come up and I wonder if qaz393 and you are the same person and is just really bored.

I feel honored that i have become packardbell.

[tsat]

i usually do as soon as i can... Funny enough the only cars I've seen veered off the road because of a tie-rod completely failed are hondas and acuras. 4 and counting!

[packardbell]

i usually do as soon as i can... Funny enough the only cars I've seen veered off the road because of a tie-rod completely failed are hondas and acuras. 4 and counting!

I seen like 3 the past few weeks and yes they were all hondas, the lower balljoint just popped out and the tire went straight up the fender, not to mention CV joint extended beyond what it is supposed too, plus a towing as well.

[ottofly]

Blog bro...BLOG.

[Maymybonneliveforever]

Technically speaking the factory service manual will tell you the allowable tolerances that Ball Joints and tie rod ends should have before replacement. Some tie rods come factory with a certain amount of play.

[Cooper_s]

Blog bro...BLOG.

Yep... I like PackardBell's DIY threads, as they're very informative and he's very skilled with maintenance scenarios, but his random thoughts are just ugh... sort of a like a kid full of curiosity.

[spf1971]

Yep... I like PackardBell's DIY threads, as they're very informative and he's very skilled with maintenance scenarios, but his random thoughts are just ugh... sort of a like a kid full of curiosity.

But he's not very skilled and yet people believe he is. A certain amount of play is acceptable and when something has excessive play, you replace it. EVERY MECHANIC KNOWS THAT.

He takes pretty pictures and he can talk the talk, but it's obvious he is not a mechanic. If he is actually a trained and certified mechanic, I pity anyone living in Ontario.

[Pete_Coach]

But he's not very skilled and yet people believe he is. A certain amount of play is acceptable and when something has excessive play, you replace it. EVERY MECHANIC KNOWS THAT.

He takes pretty pictures and he can talk the talk, but it's obvious he is not a mechanic. If he is actually a trained and certified mechanic, I pity anyone living in Ontario.

+ 1 (he is in Quebec, or at least indicated that)
Fact is that by the time most people realize any front end components is loose or worn, it is worn so bad that it requires replacement. I don't know anyone who checks the condition of each tie rod or ball joint regularly to determine if they are starting to wear out.

[ottofly]

But he's not very skilled and yet people believe he is. A certain amount of play is acceptable and when something has excessive play, you replace it. EVERY MECHANIC KNOWS THAT.

He takes pretty pictures and he can talk the talk, but it's obvious he is not a mechanic. If he is actually a trained and certified mechanic, I pity anyone living in Ontario.

Buddy, check your ego at the door. He KNOWS when a BJ or a TR needs to be replaced. These are just random threads designed to start a discussion in case you and Coach haven't noticed. These threads have become pretty much off topic recently.

Are you a certified mechanic? Do people need to be certified to post in RFD? Does he need to be certified to work on his cars? I don't see you posting any DIY threads complete with pictures. No need to rip into a poster who contributes. These take a good amount of time and effort and as someone who doesn't have the tools, time or confidence to start messing with my cars I welcome them. Certified or not he knows more about cars than the average joe/troll in here. Now if he'd only get a blog for the random stuff...

[packardbell]

well for me it is like second nature when a car is on a lift before removing the wheels to grab on all the wheels to check for looseness. you do this automatically and I am sure that Pete does this as well.

[Pete_Coach]

well for me it is like second nature when a car is on a lift before removing the wheels to grab on all the wheels to check for looseness. you do this automatically and I am sure that Pete does this as well.

Yes, when have the car on a hoist I check but then again, I am a mechanic and know what to look for. There is and will and should always be "play" when shaking a wheel. Knowing what is loose, worn or, OK is the key and most people do not know the difference. No disrespect intended to anyone but just making an assumption can cost you money.