Classic/Antique Car Repair: front end suspension on 1966 GT Mustang coupe, alignment shop, cotter pin


Question
I have done work on other parts of the car, but know nothing about front-end suspensions.

The problem first surfaced when the car began to roam at freeway speeds, a little to the left and a little to the right.

I jacked up the car found that tbe passenger side front tire (when off the ground) has a lot of play in it. I noticed the play seemed to be coming from one or two of the arm joints (not sure what it or they are called) that are just beyond the rod that has an adjustment sleeve. (The driver side tire had no play)

What do you think the problem is? How major of a repair do you envision?

If it is that joint I poorly described, can you tell me what it's called and how hard is it to replace? Is it something I can tackle?

Thanks for your help
Bill Packer

Answer
This is called a "tie rod end", and is a fairly cheap part, and it is easy to change but it requires special tools.  Take your car (SLOWLY!) to an old time alignment shop (one with gray haired mechanics, not a chain store) and ask them to replace the part (and inspect the rest of the suspension at the same time - this could be the first sign of some serious deterioration, or it could be an isolated occurence).  

In any case, the front end will have to be re-aligned after changing this part, so you need their attention anyway.  This car is very dangerous to drive in this condition, creep along at 20 MPH to the alignment shop, and avoid all bumps along the way.

By the way, I assume you did this, but it is possible that the nut which holds this joint to the steering knuckle arm (the one that comes back from the backside of the wheel) has simply become loose from vibration.  If this is the case, tighten the nut yourself, and put the cotter pin back in it (it must have fallen out or been omitted by the last boob who aligned the car), but still, take it in for inspection and re-alignment, at the very least.

Dick