Hi All,
I just returned from Kauffman tire in Kennesaw, GA after being informed I need to replace the inner and outer tie rod ends on my 1988 245DL + lower left ball joint before having the new tires aligned.
I am planing to do the work in the driveway to save some cash.
I've never replaced the inner ends before, (my 6th Volvo).
It it common for the inners to fail?
How would they know if they were bad?
I found no real mention of them in the Bible, just outter...
Just looking for friendly advise from the experts....

 

P.S. the Sleeves or Boots on the rack/rods are fine, no rips.

 

How many miles are on them? does the car feel sloppy when you drive it?
Grab them with your hand, and give them a couple good pulls and turns. If they feel good when you check them, dont replace them.

 

Yes, Thanks.
I am unsure of the mileage, but guess 50,000 + I haven't crawled under to check by turning, but I just ordered all of the parts from Rock Auto,
I'm going to replace it all just to be safe.
Any guides to the repair or advice around???
thanks again...

 

They are pretty straight forward to replace. The Bentley book does a good job showing of process. Ball joint remover tool is something you will need. Rent it if you don't have it. The inner rods screw into the rack, and there is tabs you need to bend to undo them.

 

What would that be?

 

I am sure I will know soon, but what are these "tabs" you refer to?

Can I use any other method besides a rented seperator on the ball joint?
For i.e. BIG Channel Locks?

Or, anyone know where I can but the tool?

 

It's weird, in Bently I see NO reference to the inner joints or removal, :q

 

This is the tab:



couple tabs on both sides. just pull the tabs up and get a big wrench and undo the inner one from the rack. I just had the company that rebuilt my rack install the inner rods so I didn't have to worry about it.

This is the ball joint remover I have (not my pic):


autozone rents tools. I am sure you can use some channel lock to get them out.

 

pretty sure the tab he's talking about is are a couple flaps of metal that are bent up against flats on the nut so it can't spin. you have to bend the flaps back out of the way so you can loosen the nut... only, I don't see any such locks on this parts picture showing it diassembled



(this is my 87, but its the same as your 88 afaik)

here's the rest of the 240 front end...

 

Thanks to BOTH of you for the help!!!

 

Hi again.
I was also wondering, when I instal the inner tie rods, do I put any grease into the bellows and how much of it?

 

Bump, any grease needed?

 

Not 100% sure if you need to add any. But you can add a Couple good fingers of grease to be on the safe side.

 

I just recieved the steering rods from the parts place...
They are the CAM style my rack needs,
I know the ZF rack uses the locking washer with tabs pictured earlier in this thread.
My questions are;
"What besides lock-tite secures these in place"?
and, "How do you tighten them in place"? (they seem completely round...)

 

Unfortunately, I only have experience with the zf rack in my car...
I am sure the tabs are there as a safety feature, so they don't walk back out. thread lock will work wonders.
I am sure some big vice grips can get them loosed and tightened. but I would wait for an expert to explain it to you.

 

Ya, seems like they (except for you) are hiding today...
I replaced them, with plenty o'lock-tite and pipe wrenches....
I think I am good, the ones that were there were made by TRW and not the originals as the "peen" had been removed. I think if I ever replace the rack I'll get a ZF.
Wish I had the tabs.
Don't really think the inners were bad, but once in a mess I am obligated to push it to the limit.
Thanks for your response!