Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Tie Rods....need some help!

Well, I got the idea from some forum searches and other posts from CEG'ers that my tie rods could be bad in my SVT. After getting aftermarket wheels, and this would be my second set of them, I thought the problem was the balancing of the tire, or the installation, well, after double and even triple checking, I still get a vibration in the steering wheel at about 70+ mph. I have also noticed when turning the wheel, and than letting it correct back to straight, there is a feeling in the steering wheel like the wheel is loose, almost ready to fall off, but I know that isn't true. There is also a small clicking noise coming from the right driver side wheel, or in that general area. Does anyone have any ideas, any checks that I could perform. My car is still under warranty, but am very reluctant to take my car to Ford, and have them tell me there is nothing wrong, since that is exactly what they did for my transmission, and I know I am having the 1st Reverse problem. Any suggestions...sorry for the long post. Thanks

if its your tierods jack up the front of the car so both sides are off the ground for safety issues put the jackstands on the frame rails grab the tire and move it left to right there should be no play if there is its your tierods move the wheel up and down again there should be no play if there is your ball jionts are bad the clicking noise your hearing sounds like a cv jiont either have the axle rebuilt or just replace it if you still have a vibration your tires may still not be balanced right goodluck

it might be loose wheel bearing .my car had a weird vibration and made a humming sound and it turned out to be my wheel bearing .cost $35

You again... :rolleyes:

had mucho experience with bad tie rod ends....if your wheel feels like its on a spindle (or feels like how a shopping cart wheel wobbles or just spins when its f'd up)i'd say thats what it is from how u describe

I would look into the wheel bearings and CV joints, especially if you hear a clicking noise from one of the wheels.

Dunno if you saw my problem in the archives. I had/have this same problem that has never been found. Balanced the wheels a ton of times, new tires, etc.. New Rack and pinion, still no go. At about 80K miles now I hear a hum on the right side. Nothing is loose are wobbly but from the knowledge I have I know it's the bearing going. This could be the whole problem from the birth of the purchase. Long time dealing with this slight pulsing feeling. Let us know if it's the bearing. I doubt it's the tie rod. It's easy to check it though.

John