Stearing linkage repair

[HenrikW]

Hello all. Needed to get my car checked by the department of viehcles in Sweden. They found that I have an issue in the front right outer stearing linkage. There´s a "glitch" so the tire wiggle a bit. Has anybody changed this before? Apparently a common wear and tear part on all cars according to department of viehcles.

If someone knows, where can I buy the parts needed?

Big thx for the help.

Br Henrik

[Fabulist]

Originally Posted by HenrikW

Hello all. Needed to get my car checked by the department of viehcles in Sweden. They found that I have an issue in the front right outer stearing linkage. There´s a "glitch" so the tire wiggle a bit. Has anybody changed this before? Apparently a common wear and tear part on all cars according to department of viehcles.

If someone knows, where can I buy the parts needed?

Big thx for the help.

Br Henrik

This is a question for @Harleyguy and @FiskerPhilly. Were the folks at the inspection office more specific? Here are photos of the front suspension:







Any particular component they suggested as the culprit?

[Harleyguy]

Originally Posted by HenrikW

Hello all. Needed to get my car checked by the department of viehcles in Sweden. They found that I have an issue in the front right outer stearing linkage. There´s a "glitch" so the tire wiggle a bit. Has anybody changed this before? Apparently a common wear and tear part on all cars according to department of viehcles.

If someone knows, where can I buy the parts needed?

Big thx for the help.

Br Henrik

It sounds like to me the inner steering rack tie rod is loose that's the most common wear part. You need to verify that's whats worn. If you put the car up on a lift and grab the tire and wiggle in and out you should see and feel the play .
Now for the bad news the tie rods aren't available separately you need to buy a complete steering rack. You can replace the steering rack or just remove the inner tie rods from the new rack and install the tie rods on your steering rack. Since you need to buy a complete steering rack I would replace both of them.

As far as parts the steering rack are available not sure how you can handle shipping. And if there is any dealerships in Europe you can order from . If not you will have to order from USA the shipping is going to be expensive unless you have the tie rods removed here and just ship you the tie rods .

[tomsin]

hello i have one used but good one. if need please write me.

[HenrikW]

Thx for the input. I will drive the car down to Amsterdam so Kroymans (where the car was bought) can fix the problem. Just worried how long I´ll have the have the car in the shop.

Br Henrik

[HenrikW]

Hello Again. It was the yellow arrow on the last picture where they showed me the wiggle. What is the name of that component?

Big Thx

[Fabulist]

Originally Posted by HenrikW

Hello Again. It was the yellow arrow on the last picture where they showed me the wiggle. What is the name of that component?

Big Thx

The steering tie-rod end (yellow) mounts quite low on the front knuckle, but that's because the front-mounted steering rack (green) is positioned quite low on the front subframe. There's lots of steering rigidity here; the steering rack itself is hard-mounted to the front subframe, which in turn is hard-mounted to the chassis.

BTW, The photo and description are from this 2012 post on Edmunds.com. It is a detailed inspection of the Karma's suspension system with many photographs and great commentary. It may be worth a casual read if you are interested in the Karma's systems.

[Harleyguy]

Originally Posted by HenrikW

Hello Again. It was the yellow arrow on the last picture where they showed me the wiggle. What is the name of that component?

Big Thx

Better make sure that's the tie rod end they are available separately and aren't that expensive. I've see more failures of the inner tie rod versus the outer if it's the outer your lucky . You have to make sure the play is where the tie rod end goes into the lower control arm.
The play in the inner tie rod can be seen when you move the wheel. You have to peel back the steering rack boot and you can see the play

[tbjorge]

Hi Henrik,

I had my car inspected today, and I got exactly the same fault as you indicated in your post, wiggle where the yellow arrow points (outer tie-rod end). However, seeing the comments from Harleyguy, inner rods are more common fault.

In your case, what was the conclusion on the fault, and what was replaced?

[Sha]

Hi,

Well, it seems like this is a common problem in the nordic countries. I was today for the yearly inspection and guess what, I too got a notice of the exact same problem on the right wheel. There is a play and it's the outer tie-rod end.

HarleyGuy: Do you have that part available for purchase?

Thanks in advance