1998 Riviera Rear Tie Rod Ends

I have always loved Riviera. I purchased a 1998 that was heading to the bone yard. It was in nice shape but need TLC. I had several issues I have been clearing up. Rebuilt the tranny, New brake lines and more. I am giving this Riviera to my son. It’s loaded with all the options.
I ran into an issue with the rear Suspension. I have a bad tie rod end. I thought it was no big deal. Turns out it is. They are not available.
I spoke to a gentleman from Rod End Supply. He was helpful. My link adjuster is a bit rusty also. I would like to replace everything from the alignment adjusters down to the tie rod ends.
Is there a fix for this?

Welcome, Nick. I have not used these guys before, but they show the L&R rear tie rod ends for $45-55 ea.

Link:

http://www.partswebsite.com/asgm/?i=2&make=114&model=362&year=1998&catid=10048&subcatid=20135§ion=24&type=parts

#8 in the diagram:

I called these guys earlier today. They do not have them.

narnone wrote:

I have always loved Riviera. I purchased a 1998 that was heading to the bone yard. It was in nice shape but need TLC. I had several issues I have been clearing up. Rebuilt the tranny, New brake lines and more. I am giving this Riviera to my son. It’s loaded with all the options.
I ran into an issue with the rear Suspension. I have a bad tie rod end. I thought it was no big deal. Turns out it is. They are not available.
I spoke to a gentleman from Rod End Supply. He was helpful. My link adjuster is a bit rusty also. I would like to replace everything from the alignment adjusters down to the tie rod ends.
Is there a fix for this?

consider getting a set of aftermarket or "race" rear links. I don't have a link handy but you could google them.

Also - if you check you might find a thread on this site from someone who fabricated a set of links from parts from Lowes (and a couple more or less generic ends).

I saw this link earlier. I saw where robotennis61 did this. I also saw a build list by him. I have questions on how these worked out. I have no problem doing this. He talked about what may have to be done and the ride quality. Does anyone know how this worked for him?

Thanks for all of th input.

AA wrote:

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t7827-robos-new-rear-suspension-pics-adjustment-links

Actually, I was thinking of this thread:

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t1272p3-custom-rear-lateral-trailing-arms

This week I will be making some calls. I am going to talk to rareparts to see they can do. I will have to remove my link and take measurements. I would like to replace the link and the tie rod end. I will let you know what I find.

narnone wrote:

This week I will be making some calls. I am going to talk to rareparts to see they can do. I will have to remove my link and take measurements. I would like to replace the link and the tie rod end. I will let you know what I find.

I **strongly** suspect that if you can get one of the old ones off while, that you'd be able to find one that's quite close in the GM parts bin. Those guys have brains but not all that much variety when it comes to hard parts like chassis bits. It would not surprise me to find a very similar end link on a different car. I mean, the link reminds me of a Moog ES800430, a little.

Here is a link to Moog's "universal" tie rod end catalog, from an independent full-line dealer. Get one of your ends off whole, measure it, then match it to one of these, maybe:

http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/Universal_Outer_Tie_Rod_Ends.asp

Hope this helps. If you look toward the bottom you will see some links more than 20" long. I bet that by welding a sleeve and bushing on the butt end of one of those you'd make up a nice set of links for pretty short money. I don't have time to mess with it right now though but I am sure you'll figure it out and post a followup.

Albertj

So I'm trying to locate rear tie rod ends as well. I just replaced the rear control arms and adjustment links. Need the tie rod ends now. Please help!

https://www.carid.com/1998-buick-riviera-steering-parts/trw-outer-tie-rod-end-52895075.html

I came across these, listed as rear tie rod ends on carid.com

However, when I copy the manufacturer part number into Google to compare prices, it is listed as a front tie rod end. Does anyone know if these will fit for the rear?

What is this then? http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=3386592&cc=1303322&jsn=514

http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/buick,1998,riviera,3.8l+v6+supercharged,1303322,suspension,control+arm,10401

I used the GM OEM control arms and adjustment links which did not include the tie rod ends.

Why are you replacing them? I have the original ones going on 176K, and they are fine.

Be cause I replaced the entire rest of the suspension so why not them as well?

Because you are trying to fix something that is not broken. You should have just gone with the Dorman arms that I linked for you. Now you are going to end up spending more money than you need to

Its money already spent. They have all already been replaced. My ride quality has improved drastically and the tie rod ends were shot at 120k so I can only imagine what yours look like at 176k. I just need the rear outer tie rod ends at this point to finish the suspension replacement. Any help is much appreciated. Can I use the tie rod ends off the dorman and put them on the new GM adjustment links i have or does Dorman sell the tie rod ends separately?

RivieraRyan wrote:

Its money already spent. They have all already been replaced. My ride quality has improved drastically and the tie rod ends were shot at 120k so I can only imagine what yours look like at 176k. I just need the rear outer tie rod ends at this point to finish the


suspension replacement. Any help is much appreciated. Can I use the tie rod ends off the dorman and put them on the new GM adjustment links i have or does Dorman sell the tie rod ends separately?

My front tie rod ends were replaced not too long ago, but only one of them was shot, I replaced both because it seemed the prudent thing to do, but my rear joints are still tight at 176K. The Dorman arms look like one piece to me, it is hard to tell if the end joints are removable. Maybe get in touch with Dorman and ask.

The Dorman arms are indeed one piece. I'm a little concerned about wether they will be sufficiently adjustable, with only the cam bolt providing adjustment, but I'm going to put them on and find out.

Jack the R wrote:

The Dorman arms are indeed one piece.  I'm a little concerned about wether they will be sufficiently adjustable, with only the cam bolt providing adjustment, but I'm going to put them on and find out.

I also just bought and installed those. Instant ride quality improvement, but I would hope so since my old ones were more dusty and disintegrated than Spiderman in Infinity War lmao

I can move the old ball joints by hand, and they feel a bit clunky, but I haven't noticed a ride quality improvement. My old ones might have had a little more life in them, but I'm just as glad to have replaced them (and the rotted exhaust hangers). Two more jobs behind me . . .

Jack the R wrote:

The Dorman arms are indeed one piece.  I'm a little concerned about wether they will be sufficiently adjustable, with only the cam bolt providing adjustment, but I'm going to put them on and find out.

I think they were "adjustable" just so the same SKU could be used on different renditions of the G platform and its cousins.