Well while I'm waiting for my new coils from 034, I figure I'd look into the strange noise the front end makes while turning the wheel when the car isn't moving.

I hear a shuttering and feel vibration in the wheel. I'm thinking front tie rod ends, they look to be in tough shape. My dilema, should I replace the entire tie rod assembly or just the ends? And also after STFA I found that there are several suggestions for removal/installation. Many of them involving large hammers and other various implements of persuasion. The Bently CD doesn't say much, any further suggestions?

TIA
James

The biggie is whether the ends will come off or not.

I bought a new end(s) for mine, but found they were so rusted on you couldn't even tell where the nut was.

So I ordered the whole rod and then found how much fun it was to get to the bracket.

You need to get it from both above and below. In any event I replaced both at the same time since you pretty much have to take the whole bracket out to do it.

Just make sure you take the jam nuts off the bottom, and don't try to turn the bolt from on top till they're off. Otherwise it'll snap the heads off.