Tie rod rubbers and inspection

[BMFBMF]

Hi Folks,

Going to be getting my moms old beetle inspected for its import inspection (in Switzerland , eep)

I'm worried this problem below might cause me to fail (bad rubber) on the boot.

its on a Right Hand Drive.

Is this what I need to replace it? Will I need alignment etc. to be checked after replacing it?

https://en.hoffmann-speedster.com/beetle/front-axl...hread-4.68

Would the thread change depend in left or Right hand drive?

or do I just need one of these?

https://www.heritagepartscentre.com/eu/113415835-boot-for-tie-rod-end-and-ball-joint.html

Thanks so much

BMF

[ashman40]

Inspect the tie rod end. Lift one front wheel off the ground and rock it back and forth left-right while you look for movement at each tie rod end. Also listen to the tie rod end clicking/knocking as you move the wheel. Also crawl under the front end and try moving the tie rod and look/listen for movement relative to the spindle at the outer ends and the steering arm. Working tie rods create a solid connection between these parts. The tie rod ends allow rotation but no other motion (front/back/left/right/up/down). Do the same for the opposite side wheel. If any tie rod end body moves relative to its threaded spindle the tie rod is bad and needs to be replaced (your first link). Check all tie rods for movement replace any that are worn. Here is a YouTube video that shows how a bad tie rod end moves relative to the spindle arm. It describes the outer tie rod end but the Beetle front suspension uses similar tie rod ends at both the inner and outer ends of both tie rods. Any similar slop in any tie rod end indicates a bad tie rod end.

Link


If there is no movement in the tie rod end, you only need to remove the old tie rod end boot; flush out any old grease and grit; re-pack it with new grease and install a new boot (your second link). You will need to disconnect the tie rod end from the spindle arm or the steering arm, but this does not require a new front end alignment since you are not replacing the tie rod end and the tie rod (length) adjustment will not change.

If on the other hand you find your tie rod end is bad, you need to replace it. You will most likely need to follow up with a front end alignment. At a minimum changing the tie rod end will affect the overall length of the tie rod and the "toe in" setting of the front suspension. If you measure the overall length of the tie rod (threaded spindle to threaded spindle) before replacing the bad tie rod end and can install the new tie rod end so the overall length is exactly maintained... you can minimize how much the toe in setting will be impacted.
_________________
AshMan40
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'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!}

[BMFBMF]

Thanks a million for the wonderful detailed reply.

Do you think the tie rod ends are the same for right hand drive or left hand drive models , especially that one that has the steering damper attachment?

Thanks!!!

[ashman40]

[BMFBMF]

Super clear explanation, thanks so much!!!!!