Hello all,
I always find the advice this forum gives really helpful. I recently got to the business of replacing my ball joints as they were squealing very badly and audibly. I decided I'd go ahead and replace the steering linkage components, tie rods, and steering damper while I had the axles out. I did that, got everything assembled, greased the zerks, changed the differential fluid (also did the rear fluid while I was at it), and perhaps predictably my steering alignment is off. I thought I took very exact measurements and counted the revolutions when I did the tie rod ends but clearly I made a mistake somewhere. There's a lot of play in the steering generally, but driving straight at ~30 mph my steering wheel is clocked maybe 15 to 20 degrees off center. Additionally, I noticed that 1.) my new driver side tie rod end rubber boot has a small cut in it and leaks grease (I discovered this only after assembling and greasing) and more concerning 2.) When driving, if I turn very hard in either direction, there's a very audible creaking noise which sounds like it emanates from the drivers side. It seemed to get less frequent/intense the more I drove around the neighborhood, but if I made a very aggressive turn, it would complain. My questions are as follows:
1.) What could this creaking sound be?
2.) Do I need to buy another new tie rod end, or is there some other repair on the boot I can perform? Perhaps I can buy and install just a new rubber boot?
3.) If I go get my tires aligned at a shop, how much can I expect to pay for them to perform an alignment? I've never actually done it myself and while I'd like to, I'd also like to be done correctly.
Thanks!
I always find the advice this forum gives really helpful. I recently got to the business of replacing my ball joints as they were squealing very badly and audibly. I decided I'd go ahead and replace the steering linkage components, tie rods, and steering damper while I had the axles out. I did that, got everything assembled, greased the zerks, changed the differential fluid (also did the rear fluid while I was at it), and perhaps predictably my steering alignment is off. I thought I took very exact measurements and counted the revolutions when I did the tie rod ends but clearly I made a mistake somewhere. There's a lot of play in the steering generally, but driving straight at ~30 mph my steering wheel is clocked maybe 15 to 20 degrees off center. Additionally, I noticed that 1.) my new driver side tie rod end rubber boot has a small cut in it and leaks grease (I discovered this only after assembling and greasing) and more concerning 2.) When driving, if I turn very hard in either direction, there's a very audible creaking noise which sounds like it emanates from the drivers side. It seemed to get less frequent/intense the more I drove around the neighborhood, but if I made a very aggressive turn, it would complain. My questions are as follows:
1.) What could this creaking sound be?
2.) Do I need to buy another new tie rod end, or is there some other repair on the boot I can perform? Perhaps I can buy and install just a new rubber boot?
3.) If I go get my tires aligned at a shop, how much can I expect to pay for them to perform an alignment? I've never actually done it myself and while I'd like to, I'd also like to be done correctly.
Thanks!