More of the do-it-yourself alignment questions

[ydrogs at gmail.com (Gordy Stedman)]

     When replacing tie rod ends check to make sure that both the tie
rods have threaded ends.  If yours have never been replaced then the
entire drivers side tie rod will have to be replaced since the tie rod
end is integrated in the shaft.  Make sure you thread the new tie rod
onto the rack to the same depth the old one was or you might run out
of adjustment on the joint end (found that out the hard way).  Also
check to see if steering boots are worn out, mine were shredded, and
replace at the same time.  I got all the parts locally for < $30.
     While your under there might as well replace steering rack
bushings.  I used the poly-urathane ones and the difference is like
night and day.
     Sounds like a lot of work but I did it in my driveway with jack
stands, alignmnet and all on a Saturday.  I have the alignment emails
saved if you want me to forward them to you.  Good luck.

> My suspension is shot.  I remember Dan Bubb mentioned at one point
> that I really don't even need to bother doing an alignment because of
> that.  After my recent mishap, though, I think I've got a pretty bad
> toe problem (car is really jumpy, steering wheel isn't straight, and
> my drivers side tire squeals on every turn, no matter how slow I'm
> moving or how small the turn is - think: highway lane changes, tire
> squeals).  Am I going to be ABLE to do an alignment on it or would I
> just mess things up more?  Suspension shot means that my shocks might
> as well not even be there and all my bushings are old and tired.  Tie
> rods might be damaged but  I don't even want to begin to think about
> that possibility right now.  I'm not even really worried about camber
> and such, but does anyone have any suggestions of what to do and what
> not to do or what not to worry about?
> 
> At the moment I'm swinging more toward the hate side of the classic
> love/hate relationship with this stupid car :(
> 
> -Grant-
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Scirocco-l mailing list
> Scirocco-l@scirocco.org
> http://neubayern.net/mailman/listinfo/scirocco-l
> 

-- 
Gordy

MK1 x 3