I have the same question as Andy. I was using this guide to swap out my rack and I noticed my old rack didn't have these lock plates either when I took it apart. It had a plastic spacer type thing instead. I was guessing that Infiniti has changed the design and no longer uses the lockplate. Can anyone confirm this???

Here are some pics of what I'm talking about:

Spacer on the rack (it has two tabs that fit into the grooves):


Closeup of spacer:


And here is the rack assembly diagram taken from sewellparts.com, as you can see, there is no lockplate anymore. Just that spacer:

 

J_Burna,

That's the same schematic the parts dept showed me. Seeing the tabs on the spacer make me feel a bit better that the no-lock-plate solution may be fine. I thought the spacer would simply be round like a standard washer. Does the spacer fit into a groove on the tie rod?

Andy

 

No, the spacer just fits into the grooves/slots on the end of the rack. As far as I can tell, the tie rod just butts up against it. I'll take another look at it when I get home to be sure.

 

I picked up my boot kits. A wrench was in the parts dept at the time. I showed them the diagram with the lock plate from the manual and neither seemed to know what it was. The wrench thought it would come with the rack.

So now the question is how critical is the lock plate? Is it even necessary?

- Andy

 

This post: https://g35driver.com/forums/steerin...acer-sale.html shows the lock plate in the picture with a part number.

I found the lock plates sold individually here: http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sh.../infiniti.html

I'm not going to risk installing without the lock plate.

 

Good find. Thanks.
Now I need to decide if I should get the lock plate or just go with it the way it was on the rack I removed from the car...

 

Here's the lock plate from auto parts warehouse

 

My tie rod didnt come with a locking plate either....nor mentioned needing all the little things that slow you down. Thanks to people who help keep us DIY'ers informed...

 

How much would this cost to get done at a shop?

 

I am about to tackle this
thank you for the instruction!

 

Did you have an alignment done? You did inners and outters? Have you checked your lower control arm ball joints? the tie rod works with the two lower control arms to articulate the steering path. I'd say its either something to do with that or you need an alignment. If you didnt count right and there isnt enough toe in your front tires you could easily be experiencing play from the tie rod.

EDIT: Okay guys.. i wasted a lot of time on tie rods, make SURE you jack up the car and check your rear LCA ball joint at a few different angles if you are unsure. My driver side which was causing my clunk the ball joint was firm and solid with the wheel straight but sure enough if i turn the wheel full radius one way or the other i can enduce a clunk by pushing up on it with my hands. Thought this was an outter tie rod by feeling vibration from the clunk traveling through it but wow what a misdiagnosis on my part (((( wasted $$ i guess at least i have new tie rod ends! GL everyone.

 

Could mine be bad if my steering feels notchy or really hard at low speeds??

 

Thanks to everyone in this thread. It was a lifesaver when I recently replaced my outer tie rods. I used some Beck/Arnleys and they worked great.

One thing to add to the write up would be, when tightening the tie rod ends, use an open end wrench and find the flat parts on the casted piece to get the torque correct. Took me a while to figure that one out. Sometimes when you're tired, and finishing a job, the simplest things can slip your mind.

Thanks again everyone!

 

anyone know if the tie rods are interchangeable between the rwd and awd sedan?

 

Hey I couldn't found a thread on brand quality, but looking g to replace my tie rods this weekend and wondering if anybody has bought the ones from local auto part store called AutoZone. Getting the Duta last brand? Sup. To be somewhat better than the store brand. And feedback Would help. Saw some post that they were just as good as the Moogs. Thanks