Steering question
 

Can you just replace the inner tie-rod ends and reuse the outers?
I was working on the 93 today, and while it had one wheel in the air, I tried the old "tugging on the tire". She has been "wandering" for a while now, but I havent realy had a chance to dig into it. Last time I checked, it seemed ok, but...
Anyway, the driver side has about 1/4 inch+ flex with the other tire unmoving on the ground. (I Imagine the other side is in the same shape due to the wear on the tires. Didn't have time to verify.) The outer rod seemed ok, and I didnt have time to pull the dust boot. Basically, my question is would it be a bad thing just to replace the inner rods, without doing the outers? Money is, as always an issue, since a new set of tires are on the horizion too, but I dont want to chew them up prematurely.
Thanks for any advice in advance,
J

Re: Steering question
 

Why wouldn't you replace the outers at the same time?? They have been on the car the same amount of time and you have to remove them to replace the inners. The outers aren't that expensive and as I said previously, you already have the old ones off so spin on a new one.

Re: Steering question
 

J,
By all means re-use the outers if they are tight and do not have any slop. If they are in good shape and not sloppy, replacing them would be a waste of your time and money.
I am a PA certified Class 7 inspection mechanic, hope that helps ya.

G

Re: Steering question
 

Well, the reason I asked, when I was under the car this weekend, the outers looked to be in good shape, and all the play seemed to be coming from under the protector/boot. Thats $40 bucks for the outers spent toward the new set of tires I need :o
Is there any way to make sure its not the rack itself? I tend to think not, since it was flexing with the other wheel on the ground and not moving.

Thanks for the replys,
Jorge