1993 honda accord (automatic transmission) need help with tie rod inner and outer.

First of all what quality parts should I get? is a suspension kit for $80.00 good enough? I'm asking this out of someones personal experience with a suspension kit that they bought that lasted a long time. <--- I just wanted to throw this out there if anyone here has used a suspension kit here and had it last a long time. I just mean in the future if I want to replace other front suspension parts.

Otherwise I usually buy the highest quality or medium quality parts from rock auto. For both the inner and outer tie rods.


In the mean time I have already bought a Moog-EV283 for tie rod (inner). And I bought ACDELCO 45A0488 right (outer).

Now the boot is broke on my inner tie rod. I managed to find a part on ebay (luckily) that should replace the dust boot. It's called "2/Set Power Steering Rack and Pinion Bellow Boot For Honda Accord Civic ACURA CL" on ebay. Which for some reason includes a zip tie. Can I get something better than a zip tie? Or make a mod for this. The clamp will help, but the zip tie I don't trust.

Now my questions are this if I get the outer tie rod off. Is there a way to test the inner tie rod? Is it possible can I just replace the dust boot. Is it possible that might not be bad? Does grease go into the inner tie rod? And I'm assuming that these tie rod parts that I bought have premixed grease in it? Do I need a special tool or grease to get grease in there?

My outer tie rod (right) has a bad boot also. The steering is fine although, it just one mechanic suggested I replace it. Another tire shop (although they go by mileage sometimes, not actual real inspection of the part) suggested I should replace it.

I do hear a slight clicking noise on left hand turns. So I think I should replace both inner and outer tie rods. I just need to know what grease to buy if I have to preload it, and advice for the inner tie rod as far as checking it. Also what do I do about not using that zip tie?

 

Keep in mind the OE parts are "lubed for life", but I don't know who's life. The car? Or the owner? On my own car, I went to Detroit Axle and got their tie rod kits, as I looked at their warranty, along with their price. I wouldn't worry about the zip tie, as that end of the boot shouldn't see grease, as it's a dust boot, to keep dirt out of the steering rack.
Your clicking on left hand turns, might be an outer CV joint, as they usually click before they go bad (no grease in the bearings).

 

Thank you for chiming in, I was just going to ask about the grease again.
Because I looked at a video tutorial on 1994 honda accord tie rod replacement inner and outer. And it didn't show him injecting grease into the inner tie rod or outer tie rod. I was going to buy some grease and a grease gun. So you are saying the outer tie rod comes pre greased? And the inner tie rod doesn't see any grease in it?

I'll worry about one thing at a time. But I can definitely hear slight clicking noise on a left hand turn. My only assumption is it will get louder and louder as time goes on. The only question is, how do I figure which one. The previous owner told me he replaced one of them and it was the right side. I'm guessing the left side. I hope I can figure out what CV joint it is.

The CV joints will click if they don't have anymore grease in the bearings? Should I get the heavy duty grease and grease gun in the future for those bearings?

 

Safely secure the front of the car on jackstands. Grab a tire and push/pull at 3/9 o'clock, then 12/6 o'clock. A bad inner/outer tie-rod should have movement and make some noise. I wouldn't replace them unless you have movement in those joints.

The CV joint will start clicking when the rubber boot tears, then the grease is flung out. Adding grease won't fix the wear, so you would have to replace. Look for torn boots for a sign of problems in the CV joint. Clicking on a left hand turn likely means the passenger side CV joint is suspect. Inspect before replacing.

 

Yes, only the outer gets any grease, and unless it has a grease zerk, it's a "greased for life" joint, and will come pre-greased.
You might want to search "Eric the car guy" on you tube, as he has quite a few Honda videos.

 

Hi PAhonda,
I'm a novice about car. May I ask what are 3/9 and 12/6? Thanks
Ted

 

just describing where to push and pull on the wheel. imagine the wheel is a clock, so 3 and 9 o'clock are the left and right side of the wheel. 12 and 6 o'clock are the top and bottom of the wheel.

 

Got it. Thanks PAhonda.
Ted