97 GTS Steering PLay

[Aberk]

I have a little bit of play in the steering of my 97 GTS with 49k miles and took this video looking up from the bottom of the car while the front wheels were off the ground and I moved the wheels side to side with out moving the steering wheel.

When I move the tire and watch with my eyes, there doesn't appear to be any tie rod end play. There is only play going in to the steering rack. About 1/16" - 1/8" on the driver's side and half that on the passenger side.

When I watch the video, it looks like there is play in the tie rod end.

I have 2 questions. Is this a normal amount of play and if not, what is the likely problem?

1997 Viper tie rod

1997 Viper tie rod drivers side 1/16" to 1/8" play

www.youtube.com

 

[Goggles Pizano]

You can see that the threaded rod is not moving.

 

[white out]

Check your rack mounts.

 

[GTS Dean]

Clearly, that is the outer tie rod end with the problem. Probably has the wrong thread diameter, or pitch for the tie rods. It's possible that both male and female threads are toast now.

 

[TEALLIFE]

looks like tie rods are shot but whatever it turns out to be, go with the solid rack bushing replacements.

 

[Aberk]

I went ahead and replaced the inner and outer tie rods. All of the wiggle is gone now. I also noticed the sway bar end links were shot, so I am replacing those too.

I will look in to the solid steering rack bushings as a project for next winter.

 

[Goggles Pizano]

I went ahead and replaced the inner and outer tie rods. All of the wiggle is gone now. I also noticed the sway bar end links were shot, so I am replacing those too.

I will look in to the solid steering rack bushings as a project for next winter.

What you use for the inner? I'm about to buy trw and cut and thread them.
And how much wiggle do you have now?

And the old inner rod, it just flops around and not solid like the new one.

 

[GTS Dean]

I was searching around the internet for inner tie rods yesterday evening. I found a MOOG master interchange lookup table by dimensions! There are several models within about 0.5" length variation. Only 1 is listed as available - the EV-324.

Edit:
EV-324 has the wrong inboard thread. Won't work. See below:

 

[Goggles Pizano]

I was searching around the internet for inner tie rods yesterday evening. I found a MOOG master interchange lookup table by dimensions! There are several models within about 0.5" length variation. Only 1 is listed as available - the EV-324.

That's the ticket. You did it before I did.

 

[Goggles Pizano]

@GTS Dean threads are M14-1.5. I thought the die to use was M15-1.5? Going correct on moog's site.

 

[GTS Dean]

I will confirm this weekend, but that's from previous notes.

 

[Goggles Pizano]

The viper specific outer rod from Delphi

Part

Part: Steering Tie Rod End - TA3310. Applicable to: Cadillac.

www.delphiautoparts.com

Product Attributes
AdjustableNo
Bearing MaterialPlastic
ColorGray
Cone Outside Diameter17.7 mm
Dust Boot IncludedYes
Dust Boot MaterialCholoroprene Rubber (CR)
End 1 Thread Diameter14.0 mm
End 1 Thread Diameter0.551 in
End 1 Thread DirectionClockwise (Right)
End 2 GenderFemale
End 2 Thread Diameter15.0 mm
End 2 Thread Diameter0.591 in
End 2 Thread DirectionClockwise (Right)
End 2 Thread Pitch1.5 mm
Grade TypeStandard
Height87.2 mm
Housing MaterialSteel
Length - Stud Center to End4.724 in
Length - Stud Center to End120.0 mm
Mounting Hardware IncludedYes
Pre-GreasedYes
Stud TypeThreaded
Tie Rod MaterialSteel
Tube Diameter24.0 mm
Tube Diameter0.945 in
TypeStraight
Weight1.6 lb
Width40.0 mm

The Dakota one

Part

Part: Steering Tie Rod End - TA3310. Applicable to: Cadillac.

www.delphiautoparts.com

Product Attributes
AdjustableYes
Bearing MaterialPolyoxymethilen (POM)
ColorBlack
Dust Boot IncludedNo
End 1 GenderMale
End 1 Thread Diameter14.0 mm
End 1 Thread DirectionClockwise (Right)
End 2 GenderFemale
End 2 Thread Diameter15.0 mm
End 2 Thread DirectionClockwise (Right)
End 2 Thread Pitch1.5 mm
Grade TypeStandard
Grease Fitting IncludedNo
GreaseableNo
Height37.0 mm
Housing MaterialSteel
Length - Stud Center to End10.827 in
Length - Stud Center to End275.0 mm
Mounting Hardware IncludedYes
Pre-GreasedYes
Tie Rod MaterialSteel
Tube Diameter16.0 mm
Tube Diameter0.63 in
TypeStraight
Weight2.09 lb
Width37.0 mm

 

[GTS Dean]

You are correct on diameter - the Moog EV 252 is M15 male x M14 female. 1.5 thread pitch.