Track rods\Ball joints or both?

**joules2.0t** · 27th August 2008, 20:01

Right Gents I am sure someone has the answer here.

Had the wheels aligned about 5 months ago, and all has been fines until recently. The steering seems to want to pull to the left slightly – slightly off of the 12.00 mark. The steering also seems to wonder sometimes and tracks the roads a lot more than it used too??

Also sometimes turning left I can feel something sort of move or tap through the steering wheel - Track rods\ball joints?

Checked tyre pressures at front and all fine both sides are the same.
Can it be worn track rod ends or the ball joints making the steering feel like this?

Cheers lads.

Joules

**glynn** · 27th August 2008, 20:07

sounds like the track rod end or it also can be the tie rod which goes from the t/r/e to the rack as mine was like that when i rebuilt it and it was the tie rod

**joules2.0t** · 27th August 2008, 20:23

Sod all those bloomin speedhumps!!

Tie rods. Can find em in my Haynes manual. Are they hard to change?

**glynn** · 27th August 2008, 20:26

can be a bit tricky

**joules2.0t** · 27th August 2008, 20:30

Cheers Glynn.

Will try and pop into a garage tomorrow near work and get em checked.

Is it worth changing both the rod ends and balls at the same time as the tie rods as it will be in bits anyway?

Are we talking loads a money for the parts...

**glynn** · 27th August 2008, 20:37

Originally Posted by joules2.0t

Cheers Glynn.

Will try and pop into a garage tomorrow near work and get em checked.

Is it worth changing both the rod ends and balls at the same time as the tie rods as it will be in bits anyway?

Are we talking loads a money for the parts...

here is one on ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAUXHALL-VECTR...3286.m20.l1116
but they are about £20 for the complete kit at the dealers

**joules2.0t** · 27th August 2008, 20:43

Nice one Glynn. At least I now know what to look for.

Will get em checked tomorrow.

**glynn** · 27th August 2008, 20:45

Originally Posted by joules2.0t

Nice one Glynn. At least I now know what to look for.

Will get em checked tomorrow.

the big nut end in the link is hiden behind the rack gaitor if that helps you out

**joules2.0t** · 27th August 2008, 20:49

Yep sure does mate!

Thanks again.

**joules2.0t** · 28th August 2008, 21:18

Just thought I would update this post.

Nipped into the garage early this morning, They checked all the mentioned parts and said - all OK.

Can you visually inspect the Tie rods without removing the gataior???

Checked the tracking and front was out only slightly so re-adjusted to the tune of 35 notes.

The bloke commented on how nice the exhaust system was

and how well fitted it was also.

Brought a smile to my face.....

So far slight improvement, not sure how much is just me "thinking" something is wrong - Will check it again, especially the tie rods, when I change the alternator pulley with some mates.