Lucky_Ls
Dedicated LVC Member
Do anybody know where I can find a set of rear outer tie rod bushings for my 02? Preferably urethane bushings?
Rear tie rod bushings getting bad!
- Thread starter Lucky_Ls
- Start date
milehighmikey
Dedicated LVC Member
I had to change mine, the boot on the ball joint of the end of the tie rod was burst. It comes with the new rod (which they call the "adjust link"). I paid around $75 US for it last year. That bushing actually is made to move around like a ball joint, to be able to follow the axle's vertical travel. I'm not sure what a fixed bushing would do in its place.
Lucky_Ls
Dedicated LVC Member
You didn't look at getting a urethane bushing as a replacement? Also they only sell it as a set (bushing with rod end) when you go OE?
milehighmikey
Dedicated LVC Member
As I said, it's not a bushing, it's a swivel, it has to move with the axle when the suspension compresses and rebounds, so a bushing would not allow that. It's an entire assembly when you buy one. Mine was ripped for a while and the inside of the swivel was still quiet and greasy when I pulled it off the car. Is yours making dry noises? If you grip the adjustment link and swivel it, does it move quietly and smoothly? It could still have some life left in it if it is ripped but still able to move quietly.
97stscaddy
Dedicated LVC Member
It's not a bushing, it's a ball joint. I don't remember the exact name but of that type of joint, but it works the same way as a ball joint.
You have to replace the entire tie rod end to fix that.
You have to replace the entire tie rod end to fix that.
Lucky_Ls
Dedicated LVC Member
When I take the rear tires off and try to move the suspension theres is no noise and it appears to move smoothly. I have noticed in the past when I make left turns a kinda rubbing sound from the rear right (it sounds like the right at least). So if my car is not making a bunch of noise and the rear suspension is not all sloppy don’t really worry about it? 
97stscaddy
Dedicated LVC Member
Theres a bolt that goes through that joint that attaches it to the knuckle assembly. Take that bolt out, pull the joint away from the assembly then try to twist the end with your had. It should not move easily or have any play as it moves. Its usually pretty difficult to tell if a tie rod end is bad without disconnecting it and moving it around by hand.