Should I be able to grab around the clamp where the tie rods meet, and twist the whole thing. (Meaning not just the clamp)


The reason I ask is because I just bought an 89 GTA, and it's perfect.......Except that when I turn the wheel to the left, I hear a metal-on- metal CLANK on the right side of the car, and when I rurn to the right the passenger\front of the car lifts up. Also when I hammer it, I hear that clank, and one around the tranny area. So I got under the car and started tugging at things to see if they were loose.The tie rods on both sides wiggled, and the passenger side moved all around like it was loose, but I couldnt figure out where.

 

No way those parts should be "wiggling" around loose. Have many miles does this car have on it? If it is over 100 thousand, then this car is probably ready for new bushings and a front end rebuild. You would probably be best off with installing a complete kit like the polyurathane one from Energy Suspension. It will cause your car to have a stiffer ride, but the bushing life will be longer and it will probably handle a little better. Also you may need to replace balljoints, idler arm (very prone to wear and this may be what you are hearing), drag link and anything else that seems worn. The knock you hear under heavy acceleration may be the transmission bushing, which energy suspension also offers. All that slop in the front end isn't just annoying it is dangerous..

 

yeah the tie rods should move ,if they don't you have problems, but if they do move, incertian places,you also have problems.there should be no movement up and down at the ball stud, but the entire assembly should pivot. look at your struts ansmounts. the other noise is a broke trans mount.

 

ede is right about the trans mount, these were poorly designed from the factory and put the un-suspecting owner to start easter-egging parts to find the problem. Energy suspensions makes a nice mount in black or red colors for about $25, your local speed shop should have them in stock. takes about an hour to install one.

 

When the tie rods are brand new, they are really tight and hard to move by hand. As they wear, they get looser and easier to move by hand. Its not that there is anything wrong, it just that they are wearing. There will be a point were the wear becomes excessive. If they are really loose or make noise, replace them. If you have alot of miles on them, might be a good idea to replace them too.