Suspension question from a new guy

[mainez]

So I just picked up my 1st z, a '77 280. It's in decent shape but is still a project. I drove it home, and while it runs fine, it has a pretty significant shimmy. I ordered new tie-rods cause I can feel some play when trying to move the tire in the 9 and 3 position. The boots on the ball joints look to be shot as well, although there isn't any play when I move the tire in the 12 - 6 position. I want to clean up all suspension parts and POR them. What I was planning on doing is installing the new tie-rods and checking to see if they cure the shimmy. But I'm wondering if I will ruin them if after I check for handling, I remove them. Should I just remove everything and wait til all is re-assembled to test drive? Also, just wanted to mention what a quality site this is... have been just reading for a couple weeks. I've gathered a lot of valuable info and am impressed by everyones apparent willingness to help.

[Bambikiller240]

Welcome.

It would be easy to ruin the new tie rod boots if you had to remove them. SOme people have been successful in removing them without damage. I'm not one of them. Somehow I always screw at least one of them up.

Have you checked the balance on the tires/wheels? The cause could be anything from Wheels/Tires, to Inner Tie Rod ends, to Outer Tie Rod ends, to Ball Joints, to Suspension bushings, to Steering Rack, to Steering Coupler. (Or a combination of two or more) Remember your car is close to 30 years old, Do you know how well has it been maintained (with any certainty)?

I would suggest rebuilding the entire front end at one time. Do the job in one shot and you won't be back under that part of the car for a long time.

Tie Rod Ends, Ball Joints, Lower Suspension Arm & Sway bar bushings. Check the brakes (while you are in there) Clean and regrease the Wheel bearings too. This is not that difficult or expensive of a job.

[beandip]

another thing, that was not mentioned . Check for tires out of round , there could be flat spots on the tires , if they were locked up and slid some distance. Just, when you have her up on a jack spin the wheel and take a close look. sounds like you checked things like I would have asked you to do . Like Bambi said it could any of several things , or a combination of things. Welcome aboard . Gary

[mainez]

Thanks for the replies, I did take all four wheels/tires to a tire shop and asked them to first check the wheels for true and out of round, then balance. They said they are fine, 2 of them were only slightly out of balance. I kinda was thinking I should just do the whole job at once, probably will proceed this way. As for previous maintenance, I have a lot of the receipts from the previous owner (original owner), but I feel that he only did what he had to. Thanks again.

Brian

[panchovisa]

Putting on new tie-rods + ball-joints and latter taking them off shouldn't be a problem. When you decide to restore the front suspension don't try to remove the new tie-rods from the steering arm, or the ball-joints from the steering arm. Just remove the steering arm from the strut and the ball-joint from the control arm (so simple, yet effective).

Get a good polyurethane steering coupler and also check inner tie-rod ends (they are adjustable, buy a manual). Oh, and post pictures for those that follow you.