Outer Tie Rod End Woes

[SG Lou]

Just as the title says.......2 weeks ago I noticed creaking sounds coming from the passenger side of the front end when making turns, either left or right. I also heard rattling/thumping every time I hit a bump.
So when I got a chance last week I put it up on the lift to check every bolt and nut that I touched during the front end up grades i did and didn't find anything loose. I never did anything to the tie rod ends but something told me to check the nuts. I was able to turn the passenger side nut at least 4 full turns and it still wanted to turn some more.
I get a hold of an impact gun and tightened up the nut.
Now I remove the drivers side wheel to check the tie rod nut and that was tight and couldn't turn it. I did however notice that maybe a 1/4" of threaded stud was showing on the drivers side and i had a 1/2" of threaded stud showing on the passenger side.
Anyway I removed the nut on the pass side, put a couple of drops of LocTite medium on the threads and tightened up the nut with an impact gun. Drove it and the creaking / rattling noise was gone. OK...I got it.
Less then 3 days later the noise is back. So yesterday I pulled it apart and was able to AGAIN pull up at least 3 full turns on the tie rod nut. Put the wheel back on, drive it a couple of blocks, noise is again gone.
I shower up, go out to get a few groceries and by the time i get to the store the noise is back. I highly doubt it loosened up again and with my luck I'll have the passenger side tie rod end break while I'm driving. So I have come to the conclusion that I'm going to have to replace both tie rod ends and get it realigned.

Any ideas or suggestions as to why it keep loosening up?

I lowered the car but I don't think I dropped it that much where it would affect the tie rods.

[froggy47]

Stripped threads & I would not gun these on, there is a torque spec.

Replace both sides.

You should not need to loctite these, but I guess blue would not hurt anything.

:)

[ZO6_Vette]

Steering knuckle may be cracked!
Remove the tie rod end and check.

[SG Lou]

Originally Posted by ZO6_Vette

Steering knuckle may be cracked!
Remove the tie rod end and check.

That thought did cross my numb skull. I'll check it out when I get a chance. No sense in replacing the tie rod ends, getting it realigned just to find out I have to replace the entire knuckle assembly.
Thanks !

[vettespur]

steering knuckle? my 01 has been creaking like yours for 3 years. Is the steering knuckle a known problem with the car. Will this be easy to see if cracked and whats all involved to replace it.

[markw8]

Originally Posted by vettespur

steering knuckle? my 01 has been creaking like yours for 3 years. Is the steering knuckle a known problem with the car. Will this be easy to see if cracked and whats all involved to replace it.

I've owned my 01 for 8 yrs. I started following vette forums then. I don't ever recall reading about cracked or bad knuckles.

Mark

[froggy47]

Originally Posted by markw8

I've owned my 01 for 8 yrs. I started following vette forums then. I don't ever recall reading about cracked or bad knuckles.

Mark

Same here, 8 years 2 vettes, lots of forums, never heard of a cracked knuckle, maybe if you totalled the car & even then it's a rugged piece.

:)

[SG Lou]

I haven't had a chance to work on it yet but I plan on doing is using a dye to check for any cracks. We got this stuff in work called Magnafluck Spot Check. A transparent red colored dye is first lightly sprayed on the area in question. Let the red dye dry to the touch and then you remove the excess dye with the supplied cleaner. You then lightly spray a white colored fluid over the the same area. If there is a crack in the metal the red base coat will bleed through the white top coat reviling the crack. Simple yet effective system.

MAGNAFLUX NDT (NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING) KIT from Aircraft Spruce

[SG Lou]

Well when it rains it pours.
My new Tie Rods ends finally showed up so I changed them out tonight. Lets back track to my original post with this quote :

"I was able to turn the passenger side nut at least 4 full turns and it still wanted to turn some more. I get a hold of an impact gun and tightened up the nut.
Now I remove the drivers side wheel to check the tie rod nut and that was tight and couldn't turn it. I did however notice that maybe a 1/4" of threaded stud was showing on the drivers side and i had a 1/2" of threaded stud showing on the passenger side. "

I measured the approximate distance from center of tie rod end to the clamp on the steering rack boot, removed the old tie rod end and got the new one on to the same measurement. Tightened it up to specs according to OEM Manual and noticed that hole for the cotter pin was at least a 1/4" above the castle nut. Do the same procedure on the drivers side, torque to specs and the hole in the stud for the cotter pin fell dead nuts center on the slot on the castle nut.

I do believe I'm going to need a new steering knuckle for the right hand side. The tapered hole in the knuckle for the tie rod end is worn so bad that that the stud is actually pulling up higher than normal.

I already sent Gene Culley over at GM Parts House an email for a price on a new knuckle.
I thought about getting one off of a part out but you don't know what the condition of the upper ball joint will be. Would rather be safe with a brand new one.

[halp]

Just curious, how many miles are on the car and do you track or auto cross it?
If you just drive it normally there should be lots of miles before this happens.
Good luck with your repairs.