tie rod/steering rack problems

[boostedDC]

UPDATED**** 4/8/2014
so im still having some troubles here.. I had my newer 16mm rack & pinion rebuilt with new inner tie rods bought 16mm spindles and am still having the same problems every time I take a sharp right turn my drivers side wheel does not want to cooperate with me! When I straightening the steering wheel after the turn my passenger side wheel straightens out but drivers side stays turned to the right I tool it to midas for an alignment which they got it aligned but on the test drive they still had the problem with the driver wheel. They suggested going back to my original 14mm setup because they think the 16mm rack was out of a wrecked trailblazer causing it to be bent. Which I did im back to my original rack & pinion which I never had problems with before and im STILL fighting with the drivers side wheel not cooperating!! Is there something that I did wrong that I cant figure out? My current setup as of today is original 14mm rack & pinion, original 14mm spindles, original 14mm tie rod ends.. any help is greatly appreciated


(Hello!

So I own a 2002 tb 4x4 ls(14mm rack) I recently changed out my steering rack but me not doing any research ordered a used rack off an 03 tb which is 16mm so I decided to drill out the holes on knuckles where the ball joints go in to... well long story short on the test drive it rides good going straight but once I take a right turn and straighten the steering wheel the drivers side wheel stays turned to the right which passenger side straightens out.. But when I park put into reverse both wheels straighten out and im able to drive straight again...


My question is: is it the fact that I "ghetto rigged" the knuckles by drilling out bigger holes thats causing the balljoints to not tighten correctly?


Im sorry if this post is confusing lol


Thanks in advance!)

[DustinC1989]

Uh... if you drilled the ball joints and not the tie rod.... that's definitely a problem

[boostedDC]

I drilled the hole on the knuckle where the balljoint goes through..

[v7guy]

Why would you drill the ball joint?

Are you talking about the tie rod end, and calling it a ball joint?

If you didn't drill it with a reamer the knuckle/spindle is likely junk. If you used a reamer and it's just too big, then you might be able to make a sheet metal spacer. I got a spare pair of spindles I could sell you if you need em.


Right now, with the info you've provided I have no clue what you're talking about. The preceding comments are just guesses

[fishsticks]

These should keep you from having to throw away the knuckles if you drilled them without a reamer.

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/cat ... R-2PK.html

[v7guy]

These should keep you from having to throw away the knuckles if you drilled them without a reamer.

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/cat ... R-2PK.html

Only if it was the tie rod end instead of the ball joint.

[boostedDC]

Ok ya the tie rod end which has a balljoint at the end right? Sorry I guess im used to honda talk lol but yes tie rod ends which I did drill on knuckle without a reamer just a regular 5/8" drill bit

[boostedDC]

These should keep you from having to throw away the knuckles if you drilled them without a reamer.

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/cat ... R-2PK.html

So if purchase these I will be good with my current knuckle setup? And wont have to buy 16mm knuckles?

[DustinC1989]

A tie rod is a tie rod, even on a Honda.

Can you post a pic so we can see exactly what you drilled and what's happening? Will be much easier to help if we know exactly what it is that needs fixed

[fishsticks]

Ok ya the tie rod end which has a balljoint at the end right? Sorry I guess im used to honda talk lol but yes tie rod ends which I did drill on knuckle without a reamer just a regular 5/8" drill bit

You will need to redrill your knuckles out to 7/8". These sleeves will get you the proper taper back. You'll then likely need to do the 3/4 ton TRE upgrade since the tapered shafts are larger and should fill the sleeve in properly. I don't think there is enough meat on the stock TREs to work with what you are now dealing with.

[boostedDC]

I think replacing with 16mm knuckles off a newer tb would be a easier option right?

[fishsticks]

There are no "16mm knuckles." Only 16mm shaft tie rods. The taper is the same in 02 and 03+ as is the thread size on the racks. I really have no idea why you thought to take a drill to your knuckles unless you planned on doing 3/4 ton tie rods, which have a much larger stud on the knuckle side.

[boostedDC]

Well only reason I did it is because the steering rack had bigger tie rod ends (16mm) which didnt fit in my spindle/knuckle holes (14mm).

But went out to junk yard today and bought spindle/knuckles off an 04 (14.99 each) which the tie rod ends went in perfect.. I will test drive tomorrow and hopefully fixes the problem


Thanks to everyone who replied. Appreciate the help!

[The Roadie]

Greg had the same issue last year. Tried to upgrade his 2002 to 16mm tie rod technology after a steering rack swap and found the steering knuckles had DIFFERENT tapers. Wondered what evidence there was for no change between the model years.

[fishsticks]

Greg had the same issue last year. Tried to upgrade his 2002 to 16mm tie rod technology after a steering rack swap and found the steering knuckles had DIFFERENT tapers. Wondered what evidence there was for no change between the model years.

That's strange? 16mm outers dropped right into my knuckles. I went 3/4 ton to get rid of the curve and the silly inner, which is where I was breaking.

I just threw away some 16mm stuff I had left over last weekend.

[The Roadie]

I just threw away some 16mm stuff I had left over last weekend.

Don't we have a pass-it-on-for-paying-the-shipping thread?

[fishsticks]

I just threw away some 16mm stuff I had left over last weekend.

Don't we have a pass-it-on-for-paying-the-shipping thread?

I put them in there almost a year ago. No one spoke up. They were junkyard takeoffs anyway that I got for mockup.

[The Roadie]

Sigh.... I snoozed and loozed. Sorry. Didn't remember them.

[boostedDC]

It worked great. To be honest if I wouldve known there were 2 different sizes I wouldve stuck with 14mm I wasnt looking into a 2 week project and stress and complaints from the wife asking me what is wrong with my suv now and I should have never touched it lol.. buy glad I know now and glad it's over with

[boostedDC]

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Updated today with current problem please help!!