By counting threads/measuring carefully can tie rods be replaced without realignment?

[Carrameow]

By counting threads/measuring carefully can tie rods be replaced without realignment? This is on my 85 300D W123. If I take the old tie rods and assuming they are the same configuration as the new Moog replacements, can I swap in the new ones by a combination of measuring and counting threads carefully on the adjusting nuts?

Don't worry, I'm not that Cheap, I just want to wait for my new tires before I realign........

[Pete Burton]

yes, but if you get 2 straight, square bars held horizontally to the lower inside of the 2 front tires, you can measure front and back and get a real good idea of what the toe in actually is.

[t walgamuth]

i have done the thread count thing and had it work several times. it doesnt always though.

tom w

[pberku]

Several different mechanics have counted the threads when replacing tie-rods in the past on my car, and it NEVER worked. I should add that it was always my idea, not theirs. They always advised me against it, even though they themselves were not equipped to do wheel alignment. I subsequently always needed a wheel alignment done. Of course it may have been the case that the wheel alignment would have been required even before the repair, but why chance it? Do a proper alignment.

Phil

[dannym]

How can you tell how much extra length a worn ball joint will add?

Danny

[Carrameow]

Originally Posted by dannym

How can you tell how much extra length a worn ball joint will add?

Danny

my ball joints are NEW
(this car is starting to be a money pit)

[Ralph69220d]

You're right to get an alignment with a spreader bar and is familiar with MB's. If the car is tracking fairly well by the thread counting method it sounds you're okay until you get it professionally aligned. Once you have toe in, caster & camber on the money it makes a world of difference and is well worth the money. You'll get many more miles out of your tires too. Like twalgamuth said, you might get lucky & you might not in the short term.

[Big J]

I recently replaced both tie rods on my '81 240D. The procedure I used was to count threads. I also measued the old set as I pulled each off. I laid them on a piece of wood and marked the ends of each. I counted the threads on the new ones, but still had to adjust to the measurements I had made. I drove for a couple of weeks before I had an alignment. They had to make very minor adjustments.

[Biodiesel300TD]

IF you are planning on getting new tires soon, then I wouldn't worry about getting an alignment, measuring and counting will sufice. But if you wan't to get the most out of the tire currently on the car before getting new ones then I would get an alignment.
Will new tires really necessitate a new alignment?

[ConnClark]

If your replacement tie rods are made by the same manufacturer as the ones your replacing, counting the threads is a good method of getting things close to where they were. If they are not made by the same manufacturer they may have different threading depths on the ends.

[sixto]

I haven't been able to do it successfully.

Sixto

[TwitchKitty]

There is slop in the worn tie rod ends so you will not get any closer than the slop by any fudge method. If you count threads you are not counting back to perfect alignment, you are counting back to the compensation for the slop. Take up the slop and use a tape measure if you go this route.

An alternative alignment is to measure from strings aligned with the rear tires.

Another alternative is to use laser levels, they are cheap now. Google it.

Here is a link to a thread on do it yourself laser alignment: http://www.teamswift.net/viewtopic.php?t=13304

Non-technically adept people would never consider alignment other than at a shop. Consider that at many shops the "alignment specialist" is a high-school dropout. Also consider that racers don't take their cars to alignment shops.

Many times when you pay for an alignment they will set the toe-in and charge you for a full alignment.

[engatwork]

I have always made the new ones the same length as the old ones in addition to trying to insure the "angle" is similar.

[t walgamuth]

on a benz 123 the toe in is really all there is to adjust.

should cost about 70.

tom w

[Hatterasguy]

Yep, no problem. I replaced a tie rod end on the SD last fall, I just counted the threads. So far the front tires seem to be wearing perfectly.

Alighnments are like $70 and I have a bunch of good tires and wheels laying around. I'll pocket the $70.