I have a very wierd problem. Sometimes when i am comping to a stop the front of my car starts shaking and jumping around very violently. I've been told that it could be the tie rods or ball joints. Is this possable and how hard would this be to fix? What would i need to do?
Thanks

 

Tie rods are simple - only special tool you'll need is a pickle-fork to separate them. Ball joints are a different story... Those have to be pressed out/in, but the good news is that it can be done on the car. More good news is that you can rent the tools from an auto-parts store. The ball joint tool is like a big c-clamp with a bunch of adapters to accomodate different kinds of joints. I would recommend changing the idler arm as well. Also really easy. Sometimes the parts you buy will have directions with them, sometimes not... You will need to have the front end aligned when you're done.

KAM

Another sign of shaking, as you say you're doing, would be warped rotors...

[This message has been edited by thunderstick (edited April 06, 2001).]

 

Are you sure it's not warped rotors?

-Rich