inner tie rod end replacement

[brake]

I've never fucked around with a rack and peanut system before but it seems pretty straight forward.



I have to replace the inner tie rods - both sides - the outers are both recent. One was replaced last year and the other was replaced this summer.



How does the tie rod actually couple to the steering rack? Any special tricks to removing it?

[55trucker]

There really actually is no inner tie rod *end* to replace. That's really a misnomer. There is a ball on the end of the tie rod that is screwed into the end of the rack assembly. One has to release the bellows from the rack casing & then slide the bellows along the tie rod to reveal the end of the tie rod. There should be two flat spots on the ball housing to get a large wrench on (don't quote me on this but I believe it's 32mm) to loosen it off. The outer end is simple, back off the jam nut, and spin the tie rod out of the tie rod end, now slide off the bellows. Trick here is to spin on the new tie rod into the end at exactly the same location so one doesn't throw their alignment off.....(too much..lol). If you've a spare pair of tireless wheels try mounting them on the front, (support the vehicle) take a measurement along the front of the wheels at the outer rim as near as possible to the horizontal hub centerline and note the measurement from left to right before you disassemble the steering. When you've reassembled the steering go back and take another measurement and adjust the tie rod to get that initial measurement. This IS easier to do when there are no tires on the wheels. It may not be as accurate as an alignment but it should get you pretty close.

Hmmmm.....seeing as you are doing BOTH tie rods do them individually and measure the first new tie rod for accuracy before you disassemble the second.

[brake]

thanks man! we've got an inner tie rod removal kit at school, as well as an 4 post hoist/alignment machine that I hope to be using soon.

appreciate it.