New tie rods or New V8 rack w/ tie rods

[Hugger3800]

Anyone replace their tie rods? Mine are shot and I was wondering how hard they are to replace, I'm aware that after replacing I will need an alighnment. How hard and have any of you done it? Should I replace them or should I replace the whole rack with a V8 quick ratio with good tir rods instead?

[speedy-v6-camaro]

I replaced mine with Baer adjustables. Not that bad..and you won't need an alignment if you don't mess with the innermost adjusting screw. I learned the hard way and had about 4 degrees of toe when I took it in for alignment.

[camarofan]

Not hard to replace them at all, and it is still best to get atleast the toe set afterwards. Easiest way to get it back to almost the same is to count the turns when taking them off and putting the new ones on the same amount of turns. Assuming, you are talking about the outers, inners are a different story.

As for the rack itself. I've done quite a few on camaros, and if you have access to a lift they are a cakewalk to change, a little on the pricey side though. Pretty much disconnect the steering shaft to the rack, fluid lines(may want to spray penetrating oil on these ahead of time), 2 larger bolts holding it to the frame and disconnecting the outers from the spindles. Installation is the reverse, just make sure you use the new o-rings supplied with the rack for the lines.

Couple pointers. It's easier to remove both outer tie rod ends first, makes the rack shorter and easier to maneuver around. When you bleed it, I always give it about 20 rotations of the steering wheel, stop to stop, with the engine off and tires off the ground. Then add to the resevoir and lower the car, start it and have someone with a light looking in the resevoir and go from stop to stop until there is no more frothing or bubbles coming into it. Top it off and have the toe set, might as well go for the full alignment, most places will charge the same whether it's just toe or not.

[Hugger3800]

Thanks for the great advise. I think I'm gonna replace the rack since it will improve my overall driving experience! Thanks guys!