• Welcome to the Contour Enthusiasts Group, the best resource for the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique.

    You can register to join the community.

What exactly happens??

K

Kinyoto

CEG'er
Joined
Jun 4, 2004
Messages
42
Location
Lawrenceville, GA USA
Just curious....I think my tie rod is going bad or whatever it does if it actually goes bad. (Get that strange pop when I turn my car to the left) after all the reading I have done seems to be the tie rod. My question is what exactly happens when it goes bad?? what can I expect in the future??
 
If your tie rod is going bad now, your tire will wear out unevenly. Your steering will not be as responsive.

If it breaks (comes out) while you are driving, your will not be able to steer or drive. That wheel will point in a different direction from the other. And you may be looking at other issues caused by it.

Do the o'clock test to see if you have lower ball joint/tie rod and wheel bearing problems.

O'clock test

Jack up the car one side. Place on jack stand.

Grasp wheel at 12 and 6 o'clock and push in and out. Any movement, most probably suspect wheel bearing.

9 and 3 o'clock - tie-rod/ball joint.

Lower the car and do the same for the other side.
 
Last edited:
Yeah I have noticed that the handling is not what it has been in the past with the Koni-sport suspension....I will have to do the oclock test again. I am sure I had no movement from the 12'-6' position when tested before plus I had the wheel bearing replaced by the dealership in 2002 when it flaked out on me.

Thanks
 
If, when standing on the brake at a stop, you feel a popping when cycling the wheel back and forth, you may also want to consider the possibility of CV joint failure.
 
I only get a pop when I turn the steering wheel from the right back to the left and it comes from passenger side. Does not do it when I turn from left to right..only when I have the wheel to the right and then turn left.

If it is the tie rod..how do you know whether it is inner or outer??
 
Kinyoto said:
..

If it is the tie rod..how do you know whether it is inner or outer??
Click to expand...

Wrap your hand around the outer TRE and have someone move the steering wheel in a quick arc, back and forth. If there is play in the TRE, it will be obvious from what you will feel.

For the inner TR, raise only one side, then do the 3/9 o'clock test while observing the TR. If you see it moving in and out of the rack's bellows on one side but not the other, one of the inners is worn. To confirm, remove the wheel, disconnect the TRE from the knuckle, and manipulate the TR by hand. It will be obvious if it's worn and has play.

Steve
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top