Hello everyone, I took my car to a garage around here the other day (still really haven't found anyone good to work on my car
around here), my brakes were acting pretty bad and they had to replace the master cylinder, second one I have had replaced in the
last couple years, guess I need to drive car a little more or something. Anyway I had them also look at the steering, the guy told me I
needed new lower tie rod ends on both sides and that should help some, I have had allot of the suspension replaced already but
these must had not have been, I looked at them and they did look worn out and a little rusty.
They guy had a hard time finding new ones and finally called me today and told me he could get new ones for around $89.00 apiece,
but that sounded expensive to him so he wanted to ask me first. I checked Year One and I am not even sure I found the right part
but they had "LH inner tie rod end for 1969 models. $52.00"
Not sure if this is the right part, but even if so, is there better out there? I would rather go with something that is going to last, and
trust people on this board. If there is a bushing that gets replaced also I would like that to be of the best material etc...

Also he informed me my gas tank was leaking, it was dripping right around the neck of the tank somewhere, I have been looking at
it and I really cant tell where the leak is at all. Its a 69 firebird, and really hard to see where the neck is on the tank under the license
plate.
I asked the guy what I should do and he told me I could try using some stuff they sell at pep boys or whatever and smear it on there
and hope it stops the leak. Not sure if that is a good idea, don't sound good huh?

As always any help is really appreciated, I know how dumb I sound on here, I still would rather ask than to remain silent and suffer.
I live in Charlotte NC anyone close I can even do a favor for let me know. I am much better with networking and computers than
cars, but **** I love my car!

If you order from Classic Industries web page , you can get inner tie rod ends for 69 for $49.95ea, the outer for same price...
and they have ( at least in my 1 yr old catalog) 69 repro gas tanks on SALE for $129.95..., I wouldnt smear anything on the outside to stop a leak (which comes from inside) , always stop a leak from the side it comes from...

and make sure/verify it leaks from the tank , maybe its a loose gas cap?

Hey jsdeprey, don't apologize for sounding dumb. 90% of the people here are dumb (on car matters) and we get helped out by the other 10% smart ones.

I'm one of the dumb ones, lol!!

Steve

Thanks allot guys, I will order a gas tank for sure, I dont like seeing it leak like that.
They told me lower tie rod ends, guess he was wrong, I dont see that listed haha.
I see this:
ES348R 1967 RH or LH ................................ 39.95 ea
ES381R 1968 RH or LH ................................ 19.95 ea
ES2003R 1969 RH or LH ............................... 49.95 ea

Wierd how the 67-68's are much cheaper than the 69 huh.
Ill probally get a set of those for 49.95 apeice then.

Thanks again.

BTW nice car Bjorn, makes me want to find a 400 hood like that.

Hi,as far as your tie rods go its always good to get a second opinion from another shop. They need to be replaced if there is play or loosness in the joint when you shake the wheel back and forth while it is on the lift. On your master make sure your replacements are not new/remanufactured,they have a higher failure rate than new because they only repace seals whith standard size after honing the bore. One other thing to make sure is that they are flushing all the old fluid out because brake fluid absorbs moisture as it ages which can cause corrision in your hydralic system. And on your gas tank I am familure with the 67/68 and they have a rubber hose connecting the filler tube to the tank with hose clamps so if yours is the same maybe its somthing easy to check/repair, maybe one of the 69 members can chime in. As far as gas tank repair kits go I did a temporary fix on a 4x4 woods truck that ended up lasting 4 years until I sold it! I made the repair on a flat clean surface not on a seam though. Good luck.

I bought mine for my '67 at Summit Racing (www.summitracing.com). They sell Moog parts which are high quality and the price was lower than anyone elses.

John

Thanks for info fbc, they told me they flushed the brakes and it was really dirty. They brakes feel 100% better, I am not sure if they used new or remanufactured though, they should have to tell you that stuff, cause I never think to ask.
Here is a picture of what you can see of my gas tank.
http://archdale.dyndns.org/firebird/Tank-TieRod
It does look like it is in bad shape, has a gunk like stuff on it, maybe from the guy I bought it from when he sprayed the under belly or something.
Makes it real hard to find the leak.
I think a new one wouldnt be a bad idea, never had something that big shipped to me before, hope that dont cast a arm and a leg, but seems like a good price on the tank at classicindustries.com
There is also a picture on one of my tie rod ends, I know you cant tell anything buy looking at it, and I am pretty sure they guy said it was the other side that was lose when he had it in the air.
But it is hard to take a picture while car is in garage on that side so... haha.
Seeing all those parts at summit racing makes you want to redo the whole suspension.

as far as your tank goes, you can take it out and take it to a good radiator shop. they can flush it and resoldier the filler neck, and get a new cap
to bad your not out here as I love to work on these cars and do it real cheep

Wade

i live in raleigh, and am a mechanic. i would be happy to help you in any way i can if you can make it out there. i believe it is a couple4 hours away from charlotte?

i will be home from florida and be there probably by sunday. PM me or email me at scott@spkorb.org if you want.

you could help me work on it if you want, or i could help you work on it. or you could use my tools and i'll drink coffee and supervise

That is the OUTER tierod end. You should be able to get a set at O'Reilly, Autozone or Pep Boys for about $50 a piece and no shipping. They will most likely have to order them which will take a day or two, but you don't pay shipping.

Thanks for all the input guys,I ordered the 2 tie rod ends and 1 gas tank from Classic Industries today.
Going to have a local mechanic put them in I think.
Sixstarved, I need to get up with you anyway just be fun to check out your car, get tips on things I can do to mine etc...
Always helps to see what others have done.
The gas tank I have really looks like it has been through allot, not that it couldnt be fixed and last forever, but for 130 dollars a new tank dont seem to bad.
Do most people paint the bottom of the gas tank? not sure it will look good or bad chrome under the back of the car.
Thanks again for all the help!

you should change the old sending unit at the same time as the fuel tank. i covered mine with undercoat. i dont know about others. i actually covered the top before i put it in, too. my car is not exactly stock.

i would be happy to see you and your bird anytime you want to come out. mine is not registered and i am currently sans-license, so i cant drive to see you i could help you do the tank if you want to bring it out.

Jeff, your car is very nice too, looks like mine did before I got that used hood (it was blue...),I paid $150 , plus shipping , but had to do rust removal under , some ding repair plus paint it...

I also bought a new tank from Classic , wasnt very bad in shipping...but I later found out I did not need another tank! I thought mine was too small , only 15 gal! </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"> 90% of the people here are dumb (on car matters) </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">, (guess I`m not above the 89% level...... ), but later after I installed it , filled it, found it was the same size ...just couldnt use the last 3 gal`s from the old.......
I did not do anything to the outside of my new tank ,its so far 1.5 yrs later, still pretty shiny... I can get pic if you want
email me direct at bsefeldt@mhinc.com if you want me to reply w it/them.....

By the looks of that pic. I think you made the right choice in replacing the tank. Also, on the bleeding issue, remove your master cyl. cover and make sure the fluid is crystal clear almost the same color as water slightly darker. if not, it will need to be bled/flushed more. This is somthing that shops rush because it is so time consuming, but if you dont take the time you will have problems in the future. As far as the tie rods like you said hard to tell from a pic. in the future to check your self just jack one side under the control arm so as to keep the suspension loaded in its natural postion and have someone grab the tire and shake about 4" back and forth there should be no freeplay or movement in the joint. Good luck.