Over the last few weeks, I have been working through some things that have needed attention for a while. The front end started in with an even larger vibration, so I tore into her and ended up needing ball joints (rare, so I hear, on D2's) and the boots on the CV axles were both torn open and there was a little play in them. After a day and a half (about ten hours of actual work) the driver's side ball joints and axle were done. The CV axle was a breeze, but the ball joints SUCK to replace on these!!!! Heat, big F'ing hammer, jaws, press...they finally came out. I hate the design-- I don't own the special tool and since the knuckle is sloped, it was miserable trying to get the top one out. Geez. It was such a misery that I have not even started in on the passenger side. Whilst doing this, I found that the track rod ball joint on the driver's side is worn, too. Now, I have to order that and knock it out.

My question is this: If I order the track rod with attached end AND the drag link with attached end, do I need anything else? That should complete all ends and things that I should replace at the same time, yes? I am thinking these (a combination of) are what's causing my low RPM/speed vibration. Front and rear prop shafts have been replaced. Thoughts?

 

No to the track rod and tie rod end, but be very careful of the torque the RAVE is screwed up in one place refer to paged 57-47 through 57-49 for the correct value 59 ft/lbs

Get greaseble if possible and you will need an alignment after.

Rent the separating tool it makes dead simple to do

 

Thanks! When you say no, maybe I'm daft, but what do you mean? I can't think of anything else I'd need, but I'd love to defer to y'all to verify this assumption. I have a pickle fork and separator jaws, if that's what ya mean. Thanks so much!

 

Well if you are gonna do all that then you may well replace the steering stabilizer. You will have it off anyway.

 

Valid point! Thanks!

 

Dont forget to get your wheels balanced, one lost weight can make the front wobble, plus you can string line your wheel to puta basic tracking on before you drive it, you must check the drag link side first then the other side other tie bar,

 

@deodra Sorry about that the no was for no there are no other major things to doing the track rod and drag link, And yes to the separator jaws, I was typing between getting my honey do book done

 

Hi if your still not sure if your steering is centred then centre the steering wheel the get underneath, and check the steering box is centre correctly



if the steering box is centre correctly, then a string line across the centre of the rear tyre across the front pulled tight across the centre of the front should tell you if the alignment is of the wheels are equal, as per my earlier post, if they are not equal



you will notice the front is TOE OUT, to Parallel, so once your happy your steering box is central, run the string down the passenger side first to check the drag link is set up correctly, if it is now check the drivers side to see if the tie bar is set up correctly, if this is all OK then any gap at the back of the front wheels should be equal 1 -2 mm, to zero, as shown in my earlier post, finally check to see if your steering wheel in still centred

 

Y'all are awesome!! Thank you very, very much!!!!