Tie rods / alignment

[Fen]

The guy who looks after my car had basically put an advisory on the tie rods pretty much since I got it. They wear in the sprung ball and socket connection where they join the rack.

I finally got them replaced at the weekend and had the alignment reset afterwards. Between that and going back to the 16" D90's the car is transformed - it literally drives like new again with much tighter steering, no more clunk over potholes and much better balance on the road.

I'd advise anyone to have their's checked because it has made more difference to the pleasure of driving the car than any modification I have made to it. £250 well spent.

 

[steve 944t]

That's interesting as I had a new rack fitted earlier this year, but retained the existing tie rods. Come MOT time a couple of weeks ago the tester mentioned a small amount of play. Seems more likely to be the rods than the rack itself. The car is in for a service on Friday and I have asked them to do a full suspension check to suss out what (if anything ) I need to replace prior to getting a full laser alignment.
The car makes a hell of a racket over pot holes/speed bumps and does not turn in very confidently on right hand bends. Hopefully this could be the cure.