> I believe that tierods should last longer than 6 years.
> I think that I still have my original tierods on my '88 Civic after
> 238,000 miles.

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> > I believe that tierods should last longer than 6 years.
> > I think that I still have my original tierods on my '88 Civic after
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> If so, they're worn, buddy. For 100% sure.
That's unlikely, I check my front end for freeplay at every oil change.
Eric
T L - 26 Aug 2005 05:51 GMT
If balljoints and tie rods are maintained properly, IE not allowed to go dry
with grease, they should last pretty much forever. However, hondas don't
have grease nipples to allow for proper lubrication of these parts. You
could just poke a hole in the boot and fill er up, but I don't recommend that.
If you separate the balljoint, you can use that same needle to go between the
BJ stud and the boot and fill it up that way. Tie rods would be the same
idea.
My 98 Civic with 229000kms has had the following done to the front end:
Upper passenger ball joint - used a napa part to replace just the ball joint,
instead of having to replace the entire control arm. Saved about $150
canadian, but some people didn't like the idea. Its been about 60000kms, so
far so good, and the alignment is perfect.
Lower Drivers side ball joint - This one was weird. I was trying to separate
the balljoint. The cotter pin was rusted really bad, so I decided to try and
loose the ball joint nut without removing the cotter pin. Well, I ended up
snapping the stud on the ball joint. Pretty damn frustrating.
Passenger side outer tie rod end- the easiest repair I've ever done, took
about 10 minutes. Just have to be careful to mark the threads on the tie rod
to make sure alignment will be the same when the new one goes on.
t
>> > I believe that tierods should last longer than 6 years.
>> > I think that I still have my original tierods on my '88 Civic after
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
>Eric
TeGGeR® - 26 Aug 2005 13:42 GMT
>> > I believe that tierods should last longer than 6 years.
>> > I think that I still have my original tierods on my '88 Civic after
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> That's unlikely, I check my front end for freeplay at every oil change.
Freeplay does not necessarily show up with the balljoints installed. Mine
seemed fine until they were removed from the car. That's when the play
became apparent.

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Eric - 27 Aug 2005 02:25 GMT
> >> Original?
> >>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> seemed fine until they were removed from the car. That's when the play
> became apparent.
I thought we were talking about tierods not tierod ends. Tierods have a
ball & socket joint right next to the steering rack. Freeplay can usually
be felt by grabbing both sides of the tire at the 3 o'clock position and
rocking it back and forth. Of course, this doesn't isolate any detected
freeplay to the tierod. One usually needs to get under the car and feel the
joint move while an assistant rocks the tire.
On another note, freeplay in tierod ends and ball joints can usually be
detected by either squeezing the joint with a large pair of Channel Locks or
by prying the joint apart. It all depends on how the joint is loaded when
the car is jacked up.
Eric
TeGGeR® - 27 Aug 2005 12:51 GMT
>> >> Original?
>> >>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> I thought we were talking about tierods not tierod ends.
Oops! Blame poor speed-reading no my part. You're right.
> Tierods have
> a ball & socket joint right next to the steering rack. Freeplay can
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> Locks or by prying the joint apart. It all depends on how the joint
> is loaded when the car is jacked up.
Exactly. And getting the loading right can be tricky.

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