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MG MGB Technical - Examining tie rod ends

I need to replace my rack boots. How do I know if I need to replace the tie rod ends since I have them off?
Dan Hiltz

If there is any loose motion between the tie rod end and the pin that comes out of it and is bolted to the steering arm, replace them. You have to check this (obviously) before you separate the tie rod end from the steering arm.

If they are already out you may still be able to tell if the pins are loose in the end.
Bill Spohn

Yup. The pin will be stiff to move in good ones. But I'd have said they were easier to check once removed from the steering arm, which they appear to be.
paulh4

Incidentally, if the ball joint is sound but the boot is ripped they can be replaced. Rubber being what it is these days I used polyurethane from https://www.ebay.com/itm/321411913243. There are a lot of different sizes, my originals are 12-31-17 (small hole - large hole - height in mm) and the closest I could get was 12-31-22 so taller, but correct for the pin and socket which are the important bits. OK after 2 years.
paulh4

During the MOT last year of my B in Holland the inspector put a pipe wrench over the tie rod end (vertically) and squeezed it. On one side too much play (> 1 mm) was found. Had to replace that one, despite that there was no play in the steering at all. I argued that the ball is spring-loaded, but he insisted. Maybe he was right?

If your tie rod ends are off the car, you could simply put them in a vice and do this check.

In fact the new tie rod end could not be compressed in this way, I guess the spring is meant to compensate for only a small amount of wear of the ball/socket, beyond which it is rejected.

C.Boerop Kees

Not sure about a spring, just a ball on a nylon seat. Certainly one of my worn ones (not picked up on the MOT!) had the pin flapping about all over the place.

If an inspector fails it then you don't have much choice. Other than if the pin only articulates with significant pressure then it would be OK for me. If there is a spring then it's a hard one.
paulh4

My wheels are not off the car yet. What's the best way to conduct this test? Wheels on the ground and then have a helper turn the steering wheel? If the pins move and the wheels don't, they are bad, right?
Dan Hiltz

If they are very badly worn then you may find that turning the steering wheel small amounts back and fore will move the TRE before it moves the steering arms, but in that case I'd have thought it would have wandered badly.

You may find that you have up and down movement relative to the steering arm before wear gets to that point, but even before that the pins can be floppy in the TRE which indicates they should be changed.

The only way to be sure of that is to disconnect the TRE from the steering arm an see if the pin flops about easily - it shouldn't, it should be quite stiff. If they are stiff then they can be refitted and that won't have affected the tracking, unlike when you replace the TRE.
paulh4

This thread was discussed between 19/01/2021 and 21/01/2021

MG MGB Technical index

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