OT - Audi A4, loose tie rod ends - how dangerous? |
|
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG.
This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way. Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. |
|
OT - Audi A4, loose tie rod ends - how dangerous? |
scruz914 |
Dec 23 2006, 09:07 PM
Post
#1
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 815 Joined: 26-February 04 From: Santa Cruz, CA Member No.: 1,724 |
I have a 1998 Audi A4 Quattro with 160k miles. With the front end on jack stands and the tire off there is obvious play in the tie rod ends. The rubber boot is also damaged and it looks like the socket is dry.
I know the tie rod ends need to be replaced, and I will probably replace the control arms too due to known issues with the OEM design. But, I will not be able to replace them until next weekend. We are headed up to Sacramento and then Tahoe for the Holidays (600+/-) miles round trip. Am I taking a risk driving the Audi with the loose TREs? I realize there are a lot of variables as well as other issues like alignment, etc. I am hoping that someone knowledgeable with this condition may be able to either comfort me or categorically tell me to park the car until repairs can be made. Another question is: Should I put some grease into the rubber boot to add a little lubrication to the socket? Thanks. -Jeff |
Joe Bob |
Dec 23 2006, 09:10 PM
Post
#2
|
Retired admin, banned a few times Group: Members Posts: 17,427 Joined: 24-December 02 From: Boulder CO Member No.: 5 Region Association: None |
That stuff is pretty cheap....fix it right.
Make sure to have it aligned..... |
ws91420 |
Dec 23 2006, 09:13 PM
Post
#3
|
Yes I have one a Lensley 914 Group: Members Posts: 2,063 Joined: 10-September 03 From: Ruther Glen,VA (halfway between sticks and civilization) Member No.: 1,137 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
I have a 1998 Audi A4 Quattro with 160k miles. With the front end on jack stands and the tire off there is obvious play in the tie rod ends. The rubber boot is also damaged and it looks like the socket is dry. I know the tie rod ends need to be replaced, and I will probably replace the control arms too due to known issues with the OEM design. But, I will not be able to replace them until next weekend. We are headed up to Sacramento and then Tahoe for the Holidays (600+/-) miles round trip. Am I taking a risk driving the Audi with the loose TREs? I realize there are a lot of variables as well as other issues like alignment, etc. I am hoping that someone knowledgeable with this condition may be able to either comfort me or categorically tell me to park the car until repairs can be made. Another question is: Should I put some grease into the rubber boot to add a little lubrication to the socket? Thanks. -Jeff Replace ASAP You don't know for how long they have run dry. I had a guy who drove down I-95 only to have the tie rod fail in the parking lot of a local resturant. Imagine if that had happend on a major commuter interstate that people run 70 - 80 MPH on. Any time you mess with front end parts you should get an alignment done. |
scruz914 |
Dec 23 2006, 09:16 PM
Post
#4
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 815 Joined: 26-February 04 From: Santa Cruz, CA Member No.: 1,724 |
That stuff is pretty cheap....fix it right. Make sure to have it aligned..... Yea, the total cost to replace the control arms and TREs both sides is $500. An it should be an easy job to yank everything out and put in the new parts. But I have to wait until after our Christmas travels before I can make the repair. I plan on an alignment right after the new parts are in. -Jeff |
ejm |
Dec 23 2006, 09:31 PM
Post
#5
|
I can see the light at the end of the tunnel Group: Members Posts: 2,693 Joined: 3-February 03 From: Massachusetts Member No.: 224 Region Association: None |
I would avoid the highway until they have been replaced. If it still has the aluminum ends I would hesitate to drive it at all if there is play. Your car may have had a recall on the tie rod ends but if it was already done and they are shot again you are on your own. All the replacement ends were steel. Most of the control arm issues involved creaking noises. For $500 the kit should include the updated sway bar links.
|
scruz914 |
Dec 23 2006, 09:51 PM
Post
#6
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 815 Joined: 26-February 04 From: Santa Cruz, CA Member No.: 1,724 |
I would avoid the highway until they have been replaced. If it still has the aluminum ends I would hesitate to drive it at all if there is play. Your car may have had a recall on the tie rod ends but if it was already done and they are shot again you are on your own. All the replacement ends were steel. Most of the control arm issues involved creaking noises. For $500 the kit should include the updated sway bar links. The TREs and control arm are original. I looked closer and the rubber boot is split at the top but still plyable. I peeled it down and could see that there is still grease around the ball joint so it didn't go dry. I plan on ordering the Febi control arm kit from ECS Tuning. I appears to include the sway bar links. -Jeff |
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 4th June 2024 - 08:53 PM |
All rights reserved 914World.com © since 2002 |
914World.com is the fastest growing online 914 community! We have it all, classifieds, events, forums, vendors, parts, autocross, racing, technical articles, events calendar, newsletter, restoration, gallery, archives, history and more for your Porsche 914 ... |