Good Advice and Instruction sought

[older929]

1989 929 US Model.
I have an inner tie-rod on the driver's side that is worn. I want to fix this but don't know which direction to choose. Can I just replace the tie-rod end or does that involve disturbing seals etc. Would I be better off buying a rebuilt rack?

If the tie-rod can be replaced how difficult a job is it? The rack on the other hand I would bring to someone to install or is it a straight-forward replacement?

I really need so good advice here, someone who has tackled this before. I do not have a lift and woud be working on jack stands. I'm also replacing the two front stabilizer bar links and the rear links.

[NoD]

A couple of years back i changed the steering linkage boot on the passenger side. This involved taking off the inner tie-rod end. Uncrimp the washer, and screw it off. It can be a good idea to have new washers, but in my case i reused the old ones.

This was done in the garage with jackstands.

[lune-187]

same as NoD said, but with more! lol

the job is pretty much the same as on any car (yeah right.)

jack the car up, place it on jack stands. then remove the wheel, caliper, rotor, mark on the inner where the outer rod meets and write down the measurements(this can save you a trip to get the car realigned, still might want to get it done though)

remove the boots (mine were using zip ties)

then remove the coder pin from the outer tie-rod end, take a tie-rod pinch fork and pull the rubber boot down from the knuckle and place the fork and apply enough pressure to separate the outer rod knuckle.

Then you will need (if i remember correctly) two 1 inch wrenches and turn in counter-clockwise motion until the inner rod separates from the rest of the power steering rack. continue to turn until it is loose enough to rotate by hand and remove it.

once you get that done place the old inner in a vice and remove the outer tie-rod from the piece you have and if it is still good reuse it

install the outer back on the new inner using some form of thread lock(i do but i'm not sure if it is necessary) using the measurements from before (or as close as you feel comfortable with).

after that just put the new one back on the car in reverse order. when putting the outer tie-rod back into the knuckle use a rubber or brass mallet to seat it properly. use a new coder pin after placing the outer tie-rod end back into the knuckle.

after that place the rotor, caliper, and wheel back(torque it down to proper specs)

call your wife/girlfriend/w.ev. and call yourself a mechanic lol

[older929]

Hmm, Sounds like it will come out very much like what I am seeing on You Tube. I found a used rack for decent money. I am thinking to get this as a spare, buy a new inner for the existing situation snd see how it goes. The car I'm working on ran into some issues which caused it to be put away (in the yard) for over a year. Running and driving now. Can't pass inspection with the tie-rod the way it is (really only a tiny amount of play but I guess you can't have any), so I'm going to fix that and all the suspension links. Engine and transmission are perfect. It will be back to full-time use in about 3 days. Son's first set of wheels that he won't need to ask, hey can I take the car out. AlI need to do now is get him a set of tools, the Mazda 929 Repair manual tell him when it breaks, you can learn to fix it :0-)

[lune-187]

Originally Posted by older929

Can't pass inspection with the tie-rod the way it is (really only a tiny amount of play but I guess you can't have any), so I'm going to fix that and all the suspension links.

yeah, its pretty much straight forward. there are actual tools for removing the tie-rod but...like i said you can accomplish the same thing with wrenches and rubber mallets (if you have the will and the upper body strength of at least a middle schooler, lol).

Originally Posted by older929

Engine and transmission are perfect. It will be back to full-time use in about 3 days. Son's first set of wheels that he won't need to ask, hey can I take the car out. AlI need to do now is get him a set of tools, the Mazda 929 Repair manual tell him when it breaks, you can learn to fix it :0-)

still you might want to spend the time to have the tranny inspected. i though mine was fine too then one day there was a smell of melting candy(if youve had home ec. in the last 10 years you know what I'm talking about) and the gasket on the trans pan was like a pretzel it fell apart once i took the pan down. also, inspect the timing belt and definitely take the time to check the spark plug journals for oil if its a small amount just change teh valve cover gaskets if its heavy, then you might wanna just invest in an engine rebuild kit(this one for instance) and just rebuild it it will pay off in the long run.

[lune-187]

oh and dont forget about the jam nut (lol nut...ok last time i swear!!!)

[older929]

I've owned this car for years and years, since 40 K miles. Changed the TB twice, tranny fluid a couple of times, oil every 3K even did rear-end juice a few years back. Well maintain if somewhat tired vehicle. Great car for the kid as it's easy to drive and nowhere near a hot-rod, plus, he can't beat the price.

[DMiester129]

.... nowhere near a hot rod?

i dunno about that when I got my 929 at 16 I was able to out corner and outrun
those lil riced out civics and accords.... then I thought if I put coilover sleeves I could corner even better.... big no no

[older929]

Originally Posted by DMiester129

.... nowhere near a hot rod?

i dunno about that when I got my 929 at 16 I was able to out corner and outrun
those lil riced out civics and accords.... then I thought if I put coilover sleeves I could corner even better.... big no no

Yeah, I was pleasantly shocked after replacing the 4 sway bar links. The car sits nice and evenly, a bit higher and corners much better than before. The thing is running great for 162K and a year plus sitting. New exhaust system going in this week. Inner tie-rod can wait a little longer as there's really not a lot of slop there. Found a slight fuel line leak towards ther rear of the car. Still debating what to do there, patch or replace the whole thing. Looks like a real PITA.

[older929]

Exhaust system is in. Very quiet running. As both steering rack boots are torn and a bad inner tie-rod I think I'm just going to replace the whole rack. I need to talk to the reman folks to see what all the rack comes with, i.e. all newly booted, everything but maybe the outer tie-rod ends etc. I've no done a steering rack but with the 929 being RWD it should be doable easily by a pro. I'm looking around for a shop now. I'll probably see if they can do the fuel lines too. Car is running good and I'm going to try to fix the A/C too. Just a seal leak someplace. I'll have a shop find and maybe fix the leak and I'll recharge with R12. The A/C on this car used to be a true ice-box.