Could be if you rotated the steering wheel.

 

Oops. What do I need to replace now?

 

Hopefully nothing, line up the steering wheel very slowly to centre, install the outer tie rod ends and disconnect the battery for a few minutes. Reconnect the battery and then start the car

 

If you rotated the wheel a rotation or so after disconnecting the steering rack, the clock spring should be fine.

The warning is given because the steering rack is what limits the amount of times you can rotate the wheel in either direction.

Without the rack connected, you could keep rotating the wheel in either directions as many times as you want, eventually damaging the clock spring (it would stretch beyond design limits).

Steve

 

I never removed the boot inside or disconnected the intermediate shaft from the steering wheel. I only rotated the wheels at the rotors with the steering wheel connected. It's always had that clicking sound when you turned the wheel to a certain point, and the wheel never locked in place with the key out. But it did a few times while I turned the hub assembly to check what was loose on the old rack. I can't imagine how it would have rotated too far. Don't recall doing anything that would do that.

I got both sets in today. They look identical.

 

From here & elsewhere I've read that MOOG is not what it used to be, IDK first hand tho.

 

Just regarding outer tie rod ends or everything? These were nearly half the price of the mevotech so I can see that..

 

Actually it was for sway bar bushings. I should have been more clear on that. Sorry.

 

Now compare them to the FE5 tie rod ends from your car.

 

Fit like a glove!

How tight does the nut need to be? Do I need to grease them?

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