Hi Group,
I could use some assistance. My son’s 2002 Monté Carlo SS was making a U turn - and cut the wheel hard left. When he had to reverse, the left front wheel stays turned hard left - even after the steering wheel was straightened out. The Right wheel still responds to the steering wheel - however, the left front no longer reacts when the steering wheel is turned.. Does anyone have any suggestions? We would like to do the repairs ourselves - however this is a first for me.. not sure what this is.

Regards,

Ran

 

Sounds like a tie rod broke.

Thats a pretty important part so just be sure to research how to do it properly. You probably want to replace both at the same time so this doesnt repeat on the highway with the passenger side wheel.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for the response - I suppose that is as good a place to start..

Ran

 

Hi,
I am just curious what would cause the outer tie rod to snap? It is a fairly substantial piece of steel - so my question is what else would need to be under tension for the outer tie rod to break? Since I will be replacing this piece, what else should I replace as long as I am down there?

Ran

 

Have any pics of how it broke? That could give clues as the the reason for the failure.

One of the most frequent causes of broken tie rods is a collision - usually with a curb or pot hole (anything that causes an abrupt turning force on that wheel only). Hard part is, that could've been 10 years and 3 owners ago and its been hanging on by a thread ever since. TBH you're lucky it failed now and not at speed on a highway.

Id check that wheel / tire for damage in case it was recent. Id also look at the rack and inner rod. Lastly Id check the same parts on the opposite side.


Edit- one other thing. I know you said you want to fix it yourself, but keep in mind this is one of a few critical components to alignment. Id suggest having alignment checked when you get done. Just hate to start wearing out tires on that corner all of a sudden because its adjusted a little too far in or out.

As whtmonte pointed out, they're cheap enough and easy enough to do, its probably a good time to do both so you only have to do an alignment check once.

 

Hi Group - I did find that the inner tie rod was broken.. however while trying to replace it - I found an inner tie rod that appears to be missing the connection nut that typically connects the inner tie rod to the steering.. it has what looks like a straight steel connection. Any ideas on how to remove a connection like this?

Does anyone know how to remove this piece?

 

The nut youre looking for is under that green plastic collar. Slide it towards the rack and youll see it. You also need the tie rod removal tool. I made my own with some socket extensions and an exhaust clamp.

The part I circled in red, that dent... That is the very end of the threads of the nut. Its dented like that to prevent it from backing off. Remember to redo that with the new tie rods. Youll see a couple flat spots on the rack/screw that mark where they go.

Getting that dent to expand back over the male threads is gonna be a pain but its necessary.

 

So basically, the tie rod has the big, built in nut while the rack/screw has the built in bolt to screw it onto.

 

Hi Group,
thanks for all the feedback - I was able to use a pipe clamp type of removal tool and get the old inner tie rods out and the “new” inner tie rods have a nut fitting that the typical tie rod tool fits on. So we have replaced both sides inner and outer tie rods. - the car is in the shop now get the front end aligned and new front tires (since the old ones were worn out anyway).

thanks again for all the assistance.

Ran

 

Nice job! Always good to hear success stories out of these threads.