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Firewall has hole in it

Tiny
CHYANNE SHERIFF
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 CHEVROLET CORSICA
  • 3.1L
  • V6
  • TURBO
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 278,000 MILES
I went to have car aligned and was told my tie end rods were very loose because the bolts that the rack the rods are attached to have oval out (round bolts and oval bolt hole). No way for him to tighten them. I took it to someone else and they found a hole in the firewall on drivers side and the bolt moves back and forth when you turn the steering wheel. The other person said he could weld a metal plate over the firewall. My question is, can the tie end rods be replaced? The mechanic said it would cost $1,000.00 to take every thing out. Thank you for your time.
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Friday, September 18th, 2020 AT 12:59 PM

18 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon,

Was the estimate from the first guy or the second guy?

The first guy explanation does not make any sense at all.

The second guy diagnosis makes sense and the right for your issue.

Yes, the tie rods can be replaced.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/tie-rod-end-replacement

Roy
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Friday, September 18th, 2020 AT 2:38 PM
Tiny
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Both of them said about 1000. The first guy mentioned that where the tie rods connect together on the rack, the bolt hole was oval shaped because of the bolt being loose and the rack moving to side to side and I did ask him if I could just replace the tie rods and he said no because it's part of the car and I can't tighten it. The second guy looked under the hood and said the steering gear or box was loose from the firewall. First guy had it on a lift so he did not mention firewall. I am confused myself. I did see what the second guy was talking about, when I turn right I hear creak from steering wheel, left makes no sound. Do I have to repair both problems and should I go to body shop or muffler shop? I will try to send pic of firewall.
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Friday, September 18th, 2020 AT 3:49 PM
Tiny
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I like what the second guy said.

Ask him about the tie rod ends and where they bolt to the rack and see if he sees anything wrong.

Please send pictures.

Roy
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Friday, September 18th, 2020 AT 3:52 PM
Tiny
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Hello, I was able to take a video of the hole on the firewall. You can see the bolt moving back and forth. The clicks are coming from the steering wheel also. I don't know if this is where the steering wheel is where the steering column is located. The second guy mentioned gear box. I am going Monday to another mechanic and let him check the tie rods. The first guy I think was talking about rack and pinion but I will know something Monday. Thank you
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Saturday, September 19th, 2020 AT 5:03 PM
Tiny
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That is very dangerous. That could completely break at any time. Get this fixed as soon as you can.

I would not even drive it.

Roy
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Saturday, September 19th, 2020 AT 5:12 PM
Tiny
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What is it that can break and how will it be fixed?
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Saturday, September 19th, 2020 AT 5:47 PM
Tiny
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If that breaks away from the firewall you will lose all steering.

They will need to add metal for the mounting.

Roy
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Saturday, September 19th, 2020 AT 5:50 PM
Tiny
CHYANNE SHERIFF
  • MEMBER
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What would cause the hole in the firewall and is this connected to steering column?
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Saturday, September 19th, 2020 AT 5:55 PM
Tiny
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Rust. It cracked the metal and it broke under the stress of the steering.

Roy
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Saturday, September 19th, 2020 AT 7:14 PM
Tiny
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That sounds about right, lol. Body or muffler shop? Thank you for your help.
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Saturday, September 19th, 2020 AT 7:18 PM
Tiny
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Body shop only. This is a special repair that needs to be done by a professional.

Roy
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Saturday, September 19th, 2020 AT 7:36 PM
Tiny
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I wanted to ask, will they have to remove the engine to repair the firewall? Thank you
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Sunday, September 20th, 2020 AT 6:20 PM
Tiny
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No, they will not need to remove the engine.

They will need to remove the steering rack.

Roy
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Sunday, September 20th, 2020 AT 6:23 PM
Tiny
CHYANNE SHERIFF
  • MEMBER
  • 85 POSTS
Thank you I feel better now and the steering rack has the tie rods? I hope this will fix the loose steering wheel since the guy mentioned the rods were very loose. The body shop can check that also and $1,000.00 to fix is it not too bad. Thank you
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Sunday, September 20th, 2020 AT 6:38 PM
Tiny
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You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy
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Sunday, September 20th, 2020 AT 8:18 PM
Tiny
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Hi,

I went to a body shop and he said that it would be dangerous to weld under the dashboard it could catch fire so it was not repairable. I thought he would weld under the hood. So I bought a 2013 Ford Focus SE. It drives good except for loud noise coming from front. It may be a wheel bearing. I have looked online for wheel bearing and hub assembly but they only show the wheel bearings. Can the bearings be replaced without the the hub? Thank you
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 9:36 AM
Tiny
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Hello again.

Since we are done with the Corsica, you need to start a new question for the Focus.

Then I can continue to help.

Roy
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 9:38 AM
Tiny
RENEE L
  • ADMIN
  • 1,257 POSTS
Hello CHYANNE SHERIFF,

For your convenience here is the link to post your new question regarding the Ford Focus:

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

Thank you for using 2CarPros and have a great rest of your day!

Regards,

Renee
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 3:59 PM

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