Question regarding Inner Tie Rods

[Elroy the Brave]

I am changing the outer tie rod ends on a larger car (Ford Five Hundred) as preventative maintenance (a daughter will be using the car at college - car has 150K miles).

After disconnecting the outer tie rods, I noticed that the inner tie rod immediately flops / drops down, with no resistance at all. Otherwise, there is NO noticable play in the inner tie rod. I've seen comments on the Internet that if the inner tie rod flops it should be changed... Is that true? Am I ok to leave it as is?

 

[slacktide_bitog]

If you're changing the outer tie rods, and you suspect something is wrong with the inners, or if the boots are torn, replace them and get new boots.

 

[eljefino]

Well, you're going to pay for an alignment anyway...

They do get less wear than the outers though, since they articulate less.

I hope you're using good brand parts and not replacing good OE with garbage.

 

[Elroy the Brave]

If you're changing the outer tie rods, and you suspect something is wrong with the inners, or if the boots are torn, replace them and get new boots.

Boots aren't torn. No noticable play. They just drop down when you let go of them, is all...

Thoughts?

 

[GSCJR]

if the inner tie rod flops it should be changed... Is that true?

No

 

[benjamming]

tie rods aren't a maintenance item, btw

 

[michaelluscher]

I am also puzzled by this phenomenon
I ordered OE Motorcraft and TRW inner tie rods for my Fusion
The TRW ones are almost impossible to move by hand, and stick
The OE Motorcraft ones are droopy by gravity
No slop in the joint (they're both brand new) but a different feel out the box

 

[dumkid]

Tie rods (and ball joints) seem to loosen up after a few thousand miles, and last a few hundred thousand more. I'd replace it while I'm in there but it'll probably last longer than the rest of the car.

 

[Elroy the Brave]

tie rods aren't a maintenance item, btw

Thanks. One of the outers had a small tear in the boot. Tie Rods was functioning fine, but thought I'd change them out because of the boot...just saw it. Looked fine initially until I just inspected it.

 

[Elroy the Brave]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the feedback!

 

[Elroy the Brave]

I am also puzzled by this phenomenon
I ordered OE Motorcraft and TRW inner tie rods for my Fusion
The TRW ones are almost impossible to move by hand, and stick
The OE Motorcraft ones are droopy by gravity
No slop in the joint (they're both brand new) but a different feel out the box

Wow. That's really odd.

Good question.

 

[JHZR2]

I diagnosed a clunk/looseness to an inner tie rod.

The old one had the tiniest gap in its boot which let it get a bit damp in there. It would flop down readily.

The oe replacement would stay straight horizontal and never flop down. I could push it.

 

[someonesomewhere]

I diagnosed a clunk/looseness to an inner tie rod.

The old one had the tiniest gap in its boot which let it get a bit damp in there. It would flop down readily.

The oe replacement would stay straight horizontal and never flop down. I could push it.

I've also discovered a worn out inner before, on an 87 Topaz I got for free because it was unsafe to drive. It would randomly dart to the left. Or right. Totally unpredictable. Cost like $20 to fix. Haha

 

[D60]

Tie rods (and ball joints) seem to loosen up after a few thousand miles, and last a few hundred thousand more. I'd replace it while I'm in there but it'll probably last longer than the rest of the car.

Longer than the CVT for sure

As to the topic, it's up to OP. I don't believe "flopping" is abnormal but if it makes you feel better, go for it. How is access to the inner clamps? IME factory band clamps are superior and zip ties (which are often your only option in-vehicle) slip off.

 

[eljefino]

IME factory band clamps are superior and zip ties (which are often your only option in-vehicle) slip off.

My PEX B plumbing comes with clamps remarkably similar to CV joint and tie rod boot clamps. The tool to crimp them is under twenty bucks online. FWIW, they're called Oetiker clamps.