Hopefully the forum can help with my problem. I have a 1992 740 wagon with 130,000 miles (just getting broken in, overall it really runs well.)

But.....

I have a slight but perceptible wobble when I put on the brakes. It is worst under "normal" braking conditions. That is, if I jam on the brakes hard I do not feel it so much, also when I feather the brakes very lightly I do not feel it so much. Also I have what I would describe as an occasional slight but erratic "tunk" that I can feel at times through the steering column when cornering, mostly at low speeds. The brake rotors are new, and in any event the shimmy is distinctly not in the brake pedal.

I have replaced the ball joints, cone bushings, sway bar bushings and sway bar links and bushings on both sides. The rubber on the control arm stay bushings is firm and springy so I did not replace them.. The outer tie rod ends seem solid and I cannot detect any play, but when I shake the tie rod I can feel a small amount of play inside the rubber boot. So I am now suspecting an inner tie rod end. When I peeled back the boot, and shake hard on the tie rod indeed, I can feel the "tunk" that telegraphs through the steering column.

Here is my problem: it is hard to tell if the movement is in the ball joint, or deeper within the steering rack. Does anyone have any advice on how I may isolate this problem? It seems that tie rod replacement is not that big of a job, and I may be inclined to do them anyway but I would appreciate any advice or commentary that anyone may have. Any pitfalls to watch out for?

If the problem is within the steering rack, does that indicate replacement? Is that a nightmare job?

Thanks for the input, this is a great forum.

Steve Martinsen
Torrington CT