Rag joint replacement

[Teaboy]

I have 2005 Grand Am i feel the rag joint needs replacing since the car tends to drift on the freeway
is this possible to be done from the top and how much needs to be removed to get to it ? .

 

[melsg5]

You have a rag joint?
Did you actually look at it and determined it needs replacing?

 

[Teaboy]

You have a rag joint?
Did you actually look at it and determined it needs replacing?

Not yet I am about to its not visible and under the air filter box and some kind of plunger
device maybe a thing to help the engine warm faster in cold weather ,the drift is most noticeable
while driving on the freeway on slower roads really not at all i did hit a big chug hole on the
passenger side twice i feel that has something to do with it .will post back with my findings .

 

[melsg5]

Not yet I am about to its not visible and under the air filter box and some kind of plunger
device maybe a thing to help the engine warm faster in cold weather ,the drift is most noticeable
while driving on the freeway on slower roads really not at all i did hit a big chug hole on the
passenger side twice i feel that has something to do with it .will post back with my findings .

My point was you have rack and pinion steering, no rag joint to my knowledge.
What you are describing can be an alignment issue, worn tie rods, ball joints, tires, etc.
Someone with knowledge of front suspensions should look at the car.

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[Teaboy]

My point was you have rack and pinion steering, no rag joint to my knowledge.
What you are describing can be an alignment issue, worn tie rods, ball joints, tires, etc.
Someone with knowledge of front suspensions should look at the car.

No wear on tires slight wheel bearing play ,tires move as soon as steering wheel is turned ,i feel no play on tie rods ,i replaced rear struts a few years back
does not look like you can see anything from the top

 

[Teaboy]

Upon further investigation i find the drivers side strut is leaking
my friend in the UK suggested doing a bounce test on the struts
not sure if this caused it or it was already leaking ? car has 157,818
mikes on it .

 

[melsg5]

Upon further investigation i find the drivers side strut is leaking
my friend in the UK suggested doing a bounce test on the struts
not sure if this caused it or it was already leaking ? car has 157,818
mikes on it .

It was already leaking

 

[Teaboy]

It was already leaking

Would one leaking strut cause drift ?

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[melsg5]

Would one leaking strut cause drift ?

On a smooth road, no.

 

[Teaboy]

On a smooth road, no.

When i lived in the UK i had a Hillman avenger sold here as a Plymouth cricket i drove it for while with a leaking strut until i moved here and my parents sold it

 

[Teaboy]

On a smooth road, no.

So possibly wear on the pinion gear that goes into the steering rack ? or maybe a broken bolt securing the rack itself ? .

 

[melsg5]

So possibly wear on the pinion gear that goes into the steering rack ? or maybe a broken bolt securing the rack itself ? .

You need someone with a lift or at the very least jack and stands to go through your complete front suspension rather than guess.

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[Teaboy]

You need someone with a lift or at the very least jack and stands to go through your complete front suspension rather than guess.

I have a craftsman 3 ton floor jack and jack stands ,other jobs i have done replaced intake manifold gaskets
replaced ac compressor new orifice tube pulled unit down my ac repair better than 2 dealership ac repairs .

 

[melsg5]

I have a craftsman 3 ton floor jack and jack stands ,other jobs i have done replaced intake manifold gaskets
replaced ac compressor new orifice tube pulled unit down my ac repair better than 2 dealership ac repairs .

Then your next step is to research how to check front end components.

 

[Teaboy]

Then your next step is to research how to check front end components.

I put it on the rack at my work the mechanic the rack has another jack on it so you can inspect the front end parts
said there's 1/2 inch of play in the bearings ! cv boot is leaking on drivers side play in tie rods ,struts are worn out !
well at least i know whats wrong he also said he doesnt have a problem with off brand parts there can be quite a
difference between ac delco and other brands which may be just as good also amazon has some good prices
need to replace wheel bearings first ,he advised against driving far in only 6 miles the wheels get hot said the bearings
could get too hot and come apart! ,inner outer tie rods both sides need replacing struts both sides need replacing also cv boot .

 

[melsg5]

I put it on the rack at my work the mechanic the rack has another jack on it so you can inspect the front end parts
said there's 1/2 inch of play in the bearings ! cv boot is leaking on drivers side play in tie rods ,struts are worn out !
well at least i know whats wrong he also said he doesnt have a problem with off brand parts there can be quite a
difference between ac delco and other brands which may be just as good also amazon has some good prices
need to replace wheel bearings first ,he advised against driving far in only 6 miles the wheels get hot said the bearings
could get too hot and come apart! ,inner outer tie rods both sides need replacing struts both sides need replacing also cv boot .

Good to hear you now know exactly what has to be done

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[Teaboy]

Good to hear you now know exactly what has to be done

I had considered buying a new vehicle ,but i think for now i will order bearings and a cv boot also try to get my hands on an impact gun the mechanic
said he could loan me one but would have to find it ! .