[joshuastangs]

I need some advice people. i own a 1988 gt. convertible 5.0. i recently put new tires on her so im due for a wheel alignment. Im not to savvy with all the mechanics of a vehicle, but i am learning as i go along. Anyway, i took her to get aligned today and the place couldnt do it cause the tie rod on the front passenger side has too much play. They recommend i change it. So im looking to change both of them along with the rack. Now im a bit confused about the tie rods... they're called Tie Rod Ends, and there is an Inner and Outer??? now when i was there, they told me to get new tie rods... my fault for not getting more details. but i figure if i am to change them and if there is an inner/outer, i should do both. Can someone explain all this to me please....

i need my car to run straight, so i would need both tie rod ends? for the front of the car... inner and outer??? along with the rack....correct?

anyone know of a good brand, not to expensive and if i get the rack and pinion, do the tie rods come with it? im really confused and stressed =./ also, i need new Sway Bar Bushings. I wasnt aware they came in different sizes........ Im assuming the ones i have now are stock? what should i do people????

[Leon B]

The inner joint is inside the boot on the rack and if it's bad the easiest way to replace that is a rebuilt rack unless you have a good working knowledge of how to properly put them together, replace the boots, check the rack for play, etc. A rack will not come with outer tie rods, they come separately. Get someone else to check the rack, it may or may not need it, outer tie rod ends go quicker (usually) than the inners.
The inners (with tie rod) are about $20 ea, and you can get a whole rack for $65 to $90. $40 for the inners vs. $65 for the whole rack..... If you do replace the rack, you can also look at changing the steering ratio if you want something quicker for faster response. Just something to consider. You can get the outers for about $20 each also, so you could replace the rack and tie rod ends for as low as $105.
The sway bar bushings come in different sizes to fit on different diameter bars. Measure the diameter of your bar and get the proper ones for it. You could go with stock rubber, or upgrade to a polyurethane for less deflection. I myself like the polyurethane type better, my heavier suspension kit came with them and the car feels firmer, I'm sure most from the heavier sway bar, but also from the bar not moving around in sloppy bushings.

One thing you didn't mention is how many miles do you have on the car?

[joshuastangs]

well the motor i have in it at the moment is a fresh rebuilt 302. the last motor had 300,000 miles on it. thank you so much for your advice. you have no idea how much it helps!

[joshuastangs]

http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/a...tangs/rack.jpg

i bought this rack yesterday, but was pissed and took it back cause i wasnt really sure what was what considering i had never purchased a part like this. so i wasnt sure what was wat on it . now if you can clarify this, where im pointing in the picture above, this is the inner tie rod? correct? this is attached to the rack? the girl who sold this to me said it came with the outer tie rods, i wasnt sure what was what, i shouldve did my research first, but was short on time.

so is this the inner tie rod?

here are some pics i saved off the internet, if you dont mind clarifying this for me please

this is the outer tie rod that most of the time is sold seperatly correct?

http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/a...yTieRodEnd.jpg

http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/Tie20Rod.jpg

this is the ^ inner tie rod that comes with the rack? in which im pointing at in the picture at the top?

please, you've been such a good help!

[Leon B]

You're correct on all three. The inner is attached to the rack. The outer you have pictured is similar, the one that fits yours will thread onto the rod coming out of the rack. It will have a female thread and are sold separately from the rack. I was curious about the mileage on the car not on the engine, but assume you have 300,000 on the car because that was what was on the motor. In that case replacing both is a good idea.
You're on the right track.

[spdjnky_42]

replace all tie rods and might be good to check your ball joints before getting an alignment