Failed State inspection-tie-rod end? Need help

[jbuffalo]

1978 Mg Midget-just got it running and stopping right. It failed the NY state inspection. The front wheels move side ways moving the tie-rod-one is very loose. The garage was not clear about what to do or how to inspect the steering. After looking it up at home it looks like the tie-rod inner ball joint assembly. How big of a job is this. What parts do I buy. Need help and suggestions.thanks Jim

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Sounds like a front end rebuild coming up. More than likely far more than tie rod ends. Yoo are about to receive a multitude of answers.

 

[tosoutherncars]

Hi Jim,

If you put it up on jack stands, get under it, and have someone shake the tire at 3 and 9 o'clock, you should be able to see play at either the outer end or the inner end of the tie rod (or both ends!)

Not a bad job... Outers (tie rod ends) just involve splitting the end from the steering arm, unscrewing the existing end and screwing on a new one. Measure / adjust toe-in afterward.

The inners aren't horrible either, disassemble and reassemble. The hardest part will be probably be stretching the new rubber gaiter back onto the rack, which can be a real pain in the... rear end. The inner joint (ball housing) can be tightened / adjusted, see John Twist's video for a quick demo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQt-u-frkJs

 

[jlaird]

Mot a big job at all, couple of hours. Check the Moss Catalog for an exploded view and parts.

See Tony for parts.

 

[JPSmit]

not a big job - and not too expensive either

 

[tosoutherncars]

As Jim G. says, *if* the front end has been neglected, you may find many other things need replacing as well. Bearings. Shocks. A-arm and trunnion bushings, the threaded pin that connects the A-arm to the kingpin, and the kingpin itself. All of them can and do wear, usually as a result of lack of lubrification. Moss and VB make various kits, but all together the parts can easily add up to $1K.

Do your wheels lean in at the top, when viewed from the front? Do the inner edges of your front tires wear more than the outer edge? Usually a good sign of an impending front-end rebuild.

 

[JPSmit]

Duncan is right but take a deep breath - that's a worst case scenario - no single part is difficult - start with the tie rod ends/inners and see where you get from there.

JP

PS I can probably slide down and give you a hand especially if you're available on a weekday - Waterloo is pretty close and my wife can hit DSW shoes

 

[jbuffalo]

Thanks Guys, especially John-Peter-my wife likes Dsw shoes too much. I went back to the shop-there was a new fellow on the front desk-very new 3 days-everything was confusing. Anyway I brought my Vic Br cat. and Moss and the long time older mechanic found their MG repair book and it went in today for the repair. Jim

 

[JPSmit]

great! let us know how it goes