Tie Rod Dust Covers & Vibration at 30mph

[weaver84]

Hi,

The Dust Cover on both Tie Rods are cracked and leaked grease out everywhere, would that cause vibration at 20-30 mph at the wheel and seat?
Also, what size are the covers? The tie rods themselves aren't broke nor is the ball joints.

 

[94Eddie]

Parts that are sealed off and lubricated can become worn over time if dirt gets inside the covers. It could cause a vibration if the tie rod has worn enough.

 

[weaver84]

Parts that are sealed off and lubricated can become worn over time if dirt gets inside the covers. It could cause a vibration if the tie rod has worn enough.

Ok, previous owner drove across diff states often. It's only got lttle over 106k. Where can I find Dust Covers that match type and size? There more like the flat doughnut type

 

[94Eddie]

Ok, previous owner drove across diff states often. It's only got lttle over 106k. Where can I find Dust Covers that match type and size? There more like the flat doughnut type

If the tie rod ends are worn enough to cause vibration then they should be replaced.

 

[Bazz270]

Ok, previous owner drove across diff states often. It's only got lttle over 106k. Where can I find Dust Covers that match type and size? There more like the flat doughnut type

You can take any of suitable Energy Suspension universal tie rod end dust cover

But in general the oem style tie rods ends are not able to be serviced.

 

[weaver84]

Ok, I've got a pair of moog tie rods, is it best to measure from the center of tie rod to end of jam nut? In sure there not the same length as orm

 

[Bazz270]

I am not sure why do you want to measure the tie rod like so.

Anyways , in case of dustcovers are being damaged for a while, the balljoints will be broken for 90% .this is nogo safety situation and they should be replaced.

If you still want to save the old tie rods,take em out,wash the old grease and the road dust,check the balljoint freeplay (it shouldt be any radial hand feel freeplay except of 0.1mm or so)

If good, repack with fresh cv joint grease,
The dust covers to be measured on the top & bottom lockrings plus total dustcover height.

Then go to Energy suspension page and try to find one of the universal dust covers to be closest as you can to your measurements.

Non insulated 16- 18awg electric wire (one similar to the airborne hex nut thread secure application) could be used as dustcover lockrings since the originals are single use ones

 

[weaver84]

Ok. Is the best way to count the turns if replacing and marking the threads?

 

[Bazz270]

The thread counting adjustment procedure will work only in case of tie rod end replacement has the same lenght (or p/n)