Mine has been split for at least 6k miles. Maybe longer.

 

Ok so my next question is, is this dangerous at all? What happens when it completely fails? How would I know when it is done for good. Right now, I haven't noticed any difference in driving, steering, or anything.

 

When it completely fails, you lose the ability to steer. Go ahead and replace it, look at my earlier post for the part #. It's a cheap fix. When you replace it, count the number of rotations when you remove the old one and put the new one on the same turns.

 

This thread prompted me to get off my A and get this part. Got the Moog es3624 for $29.95 at Advance.

I will say that getting the stock tre off was a major pain. You get fit a tre puller in there. A pickle fork and 28oz dead blow got it off with some beating.

 

When I did mine, I sprayed it down with PBlaster the night before and again in the morning about 30 min before I started. It came right off with no problems.

 

Safety first. Steering is always a good thing.....

 

So I got the part from auto zone but I can't get the old one off. I lessened the nut on top of the end link boot but it won't come down off the part it's bolted to. Even with a crow bar.

Do I need to loosen the 2 bolts on the drag link that clamps the threads in place first?

You can see the nut in this pic. The one on top is the one I loosened (not in this pic though) but It won't come off.

 

You need a tie rod end tool or a pickle-fork. That upper one might be easier to get a pickle-fork on.

Rob

 

steering is nothing to joke around with.. not something trivial.. (like brakes)

 

+1 there is a tool that clamps around the the attachment and pushes it through