New tie-rods ends, new clunking/clinking noise

[szvook]

Howdy ya’ll. I need some advice to track down a clunking/clinking noise I recently noticed after replacing my outer tie-rod links. When making a left or right turn, I hear a slight clunking/clinking noise from what seems to be the center of the car as I turn slightly. No noise when going over bumps, or when the steering wheels is fully clocked to either direction after the click is heard.

When the car is in motion, pulling into a parking space throws the clunking/clinking noise - the noise is also present when the car is parked and the steering wheel is turned right or left.

This time around I was not able to use my service mechanic since he does not do alignments. I went with a shop close to my tuner who has a new laser alignment machine and do alignments for the Mercedes dealership in downtown L.A. – but the techs there are new on the job under new ownership and to get the old tie-rods off there was some serious banging to loosen up the tie-rod ends. I will be going back this Saturday and I thought I would ask here first. Maybe something is just loose, or something got bend during the install.

Bloody hell…I should have just bit the bullet and went to the dealership, but they were backed up.

 

[szvook]

It turned out to be a false alarm. While I was on the phone, the tech noticed a small flap above the tie-rods which was slightly bend down more then usual and was rubbing, after a bit of a push it went back to its position thus no more clunking/clinking noises.

 

[Glen]

Love those easy fixes!

 

[gsxr]

Ah, the heat shield... cool! Even better, it was free!

 

[szvook]

 

[IBNR]

Gents, a thousand apologies for resurrecting such an old thread, but it's directly relevant to a problem I'm trying to work out on my car. Over the past few days I'd noticed a really horrible grinding/clunking noise coming from the left front during turns. I recently had some suspension work done on my car in an effort to address chronic alignment problems, so I feared the worst like maybe the shop forgot to tighten up the left front tie rod or some critical bearing or bushing had suddenly failed. The other day the noise was bad enough as I was driving away from my house that I feared imminent steering failure and immediately turned around and took it back to my garage to let it sit until I could find the time to put it up on jack stands, pull the front wheels and check things out.

I was finally able to do that today, and the problem was immediately obvious: What I think is the heat shield Dave M. mentions above (and seen here at 12a on p.46,47 (p.52 of the PDF): http://www.w124performance.com/service/Index/MiscFiles/MY1992w124.03intro.pdf) was very badly bent, twisted and dangling down where it was getting caught between the steering linkage joint, the belly pan and the side of the engine compartment with every steering movement. The shield itself is so badly mangled at this point that I cannot discern how or where it was originally attached and oriented. I was able to access the single screw from which it dangled and have now got it removed entirely.

So, now I have to ask: Is this an important (let alone critical) part that I need to figure out how to replace correctly? Or can I just leave it off?

Thanks very much in advance!

 

[gsxr]

The heat shield will extend the life of the tie rod end. I think the twice pieces may be available new, I'd replace them if possible. Only problem is, I think you have to pop the drag link joint out of the Pitman arm to install the one shield. The second attaches to the first. Here's a photo from top side:

 

[Glen]

The drag link does not have to be removed from the pitman arm but the fastening nut on its ball joint does need to be removed to replace the shield.

 

[gsxr]

The drag link does not have to be removed from the pitman arm but the fastening nut on its ball joint does need to be removed to replace the shield.

THAT was it... thanks, Glen! It's been just long enough since I've done this job that I couldn't remember details. Should be fairly easy to replace.

 

[IBNR]

Thanks, guys. I guess I'll have to look into getting that part then. The thing I took off my car doesn't seem to look very much like the lower shield in Dave's picture...for example, it doesn't have anything like the rounded bit at the bottom (but it's certainly possible that got torn off at some point along the way).

EDIT: Actually, looking more closely now I see that the rounded bit is actually still there and properly attached, I just need to figure out how the piece on top attaches to it. The picture is very helpful for that, thanks!

 

[IBNR]

And...fixed! Turns out the top shield piece wasn't too badly damaged, I needed to bend the flange with the screw hole in it back into position and figure out how it attaches to the bottom rounded shield. Dave's picture was essential for that, and with it I was able to reattach the top shield correctly. Job done, thank you!

 

[Trae]

I didn't have the tools or expertise to remove and replace, but I bought both L and R tie rod assemblies, drag link, and steering shock because my wheels had a lot of lateral play in them the last time I rotated tires. Talked my indy to come out of retirement to do the job. After proper alignment, car steers like new!

 

[Trae]

Pics

 

[TerryA]

@Trae, It sure makes a difference with those new steering parts. It was like night & day when I changed mine. I also changed the front tie rod bushings. Then I took it for a 4 wheel alignment.

Doesn’t it feel like a new car? Puts a smile on your face

 

[Trae]

Tight, precise steering indeed!