So, is this bad?



I kinda feel stupid for asking this, but what is that part right there called anyways? Tie rod maybe? I know one of those parts is the end of the steering stabilizer. I just want to know the name of the part that connects both wheels together.

I guess you have to learn something new every day.

Thanks

 

In order from left to right: tie rod, relay rod and steering stabilizer. At the bottom of the screen is either the pitman arm or the idler arm. The pitman arm has the power steering gearbox attached.

Hope it helps!

 

You talking about the joint where the grease is? To check it, watch that spot, and have someone slightly move the steering wheel. If the joint moves exactly with the other rod, it is OK. If it moves in and out it is bad. If you replace it, it will come with a new grease boot.

 

Relay Rod? Never heard that term. I have heard "Center Link" for that part though.

EDIT: I stand corrected. Just looked it up in my FSM. My bad.

 

Look what I came across out on the internet. Maybe this would be helpful for you?

 

Thanks for the help guys. All the info was very informative. I can now add it to my ever-growing knowledge of vehicles.

My front end has felt a little weird lately. It feels like it floats a little whenever going over dips in the road at highway speeds. It's kind of hard to explain. It just sort of feels unstable whenever I'm going over a dip. I think I'm going to order the OME steering stabilizer soon and see if that helps things. My steering wheel will want to move when I go over those dips in the road so I think the stabilizer will help alleviate this problem.

 

I'm going to use this thread instead of my vibration thread since my question has to do with steering.

As some of you may know, I've had a side-to-side vibration in my steering wheel that comes and goes between 55 and 60 mph. I just had my tires Roadforce balanced so that isn't the problem. So I decided to look at all my steering components and ball joints today. Upon inspection, I could move one wheel a little without moving the other wheel. This was caused by the steering components rotating slightly when turning one wheel rather than one certain joint having slack in it. They would rotate to a point and then start turning the other wheel. Is this normal? Can I adjust the tie rods to take up the slack?

Any help is greatly appreciated as I am running out of ideas.

 

If you mean when you rotate one tire by hand the center link (or relay rod, that was a new term for me too...) twists first, then finally the other side moves the other tire, no it shouldn't do that. As the end joints wear they loosen up and allow that, at first it's no problem but eventually it gets like you've seen it. Replacing them makes an amazing difference. I just did mine, the only two joints that were bad was the one on the pitman arm and the one on the idler arm. And the idler busings were shot too. $180 worth of parts and presto - tight steering again!

 

My steering doesn't really feel all that loose. I have very minimal to no play in the steering wheel. I'm just wondering if maybe this is allowing one of my wheels to vibrate. Can I adjust the tie rods to take up the slack and prevent relay rod and tie rods from rotating before the other tire moves?

I'm stumped right now.

Thanks

 

No, that wouldn't work.

My best guess would be that the tires find a minor harmonic imbalance at that speed and the loose joints let one wobble a bit. Only a guess though...

 

Try changing the pressure in one tire, just for a test. It would change the frequency a bit. Say, let out 8 pounds or so. Just a thought. Alternatively, rotate the tires front to back for a test.