Welcome to the 2GNT Forum! Interested In Advertising with 2GNT?
Home | Site Background| Info&Specs| Mods & Tech Info | CAPS | Part Reviews | Donate | 2GNT Stickers |
Search Printer-friendly copy 1 User in Chat
Top 2GNT Technical Handling/Suspension topic #23113
View in threaded mode

Subject: "How to Replace an Inner Tie Rod (Write-Up)" 1 | 2 | Previous topic | Next topic
WickedESiMar-21-04 01:49 PM
Donating 2GNT member
3090 posts,
Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list
#23113, "How to Replace an Inner Tie Rod (Write-Up)"
Mar-21-04 01:52 PM by WickedESi



          

Since it took me quite a while to find all the info I needed to do this, here's a little write up.


- Aquire the parts and tool.

You can get a OEM new inner tie rod from Bob Kise (check my profile for info) for ~$40, or you can get aftermarket ones from NAPA, and quite a few places for around ~$20.

I needed a new rack and pinion boot, mine was torn (which is why I had to replace my inner tie rod to begin w/, the contamination wore it out), they had a boot for our cars in stock at O'Reily Auto Parts for $20, which came w/ new clamps, I had to ask for a boot for an Eclipse because they only had 1G Talon's in their parts computer/book. You can also get them from NAPA, but they will probably have to order it, so be prepared in advance.

The tool used to remove inner tie rods looks like a cylinder about 1.5" in diameter and about 12" long, that slips over the inner tie rod, grips the end of it, and you turn it using a 1/2" drive. I used a universal one that I rented from O'Reily Auto Parts, but this tool can be had from NAPA and JCWhitney for around $60, also needing to be ordered in advance.

*Note: Don't be afraid to turn the wheel to put the steering assembly where it's easiest to work with...


- Remove the tie rod end

Use a pitman arm puller to press out the ball joint. Count how many times you turn the tie rod end to get it off so your alignment will be as close to what it was as possible. (You may still need an alignment afterwords, due to installing a new inner tie rod.)


- Remove the chassis plate covering the inner tie rod

It has 4x 14mm grade 10 bolts, take it out so you can access the clamp on the inner side of the rack and pinion boot.


- Remove the boot

First use plyers to take off the outer clamp. Then use some wire cutters to clip the raised portion of the pull type inner clamp. Be careful not to nick the boot if you plan on reusing it. Just tare that clamp off, you cannot reuse it. Pull the boot off (again, gently if reusing).


- Remove the inner tie rod

*Note: Be careful not to scratch the portion of the rack and pinion that goes inside the case when turning the wheel, as you can damage the oil seals.

You first need to bend the retaining clip up on both sides of the end of the inner tie rod so that it's free to turn (look around the base of the inner tie rod to see what I mean). I found using a chisle and hammer to be the best method, since it's pressed on there pretty good.

Using the special tool, securely fasten it on the flats of the inner tie rod w/ a wrench (if using an adjustable type). Using an impact wrench in the special tool drive, back off the inner tie rod.

If you don't have access to air tools: when working on the driver side use a monkey wrench to hold the gear rack at the flat to keep it from twisting, then use the proper size wrench to back off the inner tie rod, applying equal forces to both wrenches (thanks Rick). When working on the passenger side, there is nowhere to hold the rack w/ a wrench due to it being cylinderical, I'm guessing that this side is the powersteering assisted end, and that it's guided on a rail, so you don't need to worry about it. Besides, when I removed mine w/ an impact wrench it wasn't torqued on that much, so you should be able to get away w/ a breaker bar in the special tool drive.


- Install the new inner tie rod

Start it off by hand, don't forget to put that retaining clip onto the new inner tie rod, then use the special tool to tighten back up, and the reverse of the above step ^ for the method of tightening, you'll know when you have the right amount of torque, because it should be around the same position (turn wise) that it was before you removed it.

Bend the retaining clip over the ends of the new inner tie rod. I found the easy way to do this (since there isn't much room) to be slipping the special tool over, and pulling it quickly forward to bend the tabs over.


- Reinstall the rack and pinion boot

Slip the new (or old) boot back over the grove on the rack and pinion housing (you may need to spray some wd-40 around the inside of the boot to get it to slip on easy, and strech the end w/ your fingers, working it around, a slight PITA).

Install the fastener that goes around the inner part of the boot (the big end), mine came w/ a pull type band, which you pull tight with plyers then bend the end over. If reusing the old boot, just a zip tie to secure it.

Install the outer clamp (there is a grove for where it should be on the inner tie rod).


- Reinstall the chassis plate

The bolts should torqued to around 50 ft/lbs.


- Reinstall the tie rod end

Use the same number of turns it took to take it off.


... This sure beats spending $600+ for a new rack and pinon.
If you have any questions, post here, or feel free to email me at baldrjo@auburn.edu


Joel Baldridge, ASE Certified Master Technician, Audi Certified Expert Technician

  

Report This Post to Admin Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

Replies to this topic: Pages 1 | 2
UberingramMar-21-04 09:06 PM
Donating 2GNT member
10001 posts,
Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list
#23132, "RE: How to Replace an Inner Tie Rod (Write-Up)"
In response to Reply # 0


          

Good info. You should contact a mod and nomitate this for Things We've seen before or maybe a spot on the main page.

__________________________________________
~Chris
03 SRT-4

  

Report This Post to Admin Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

OldGuyMar-22-04 08:17 AM
Member since May 04th 2003
1077 posts,
Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list
#23140, "RE: How to Replace an Inner Tie Rod (Write-Up)"
In response to Reply # 0


          

Wick,
Excellent! This should help anyone doing this maintenance. Big

Rick

  

Report This Post to Admin Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

SkrillaMar-23-04 07:28 AM
Donating 2GNT member
1868 posts,
Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list
#23158, "RE: How to Replace an Inner Tie Rod (Write-Up)"
In response to Reply # 0


          

VERY GOOD writeup

*Skrilla
"Honest officer, I thought you were trying to race me"
Talon: 1st 2.4L
'97 Prelude
'04 350Z

Originally posted by YourInMyMirror95GS
dick teaser's should be rounded up and shot in the forehead
Originally posted by etx
Good luck man! Project 'STFU Brian your talon is dead meat' should be on it's feet soon!
Originally posted by Dark0ne
Thanks. Now excuse me while i fuck your sister.
"fuck all motor" -turbo ate you

  

Report This Post to Admin Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

CaribenoMay-23-04 07:33 PM
Member since Jun 15th 2002
123 posts,
Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list
#24002, "RE: How to Replace an Inner Tie Rod (Write-Up)"
In response to Reply # 3


          

Excellent write up, think I'll be using it soon. Was the car doing anything that led you to look at the inner tie rods as the guilty party or did you just happen to see the bad boot during regular check up? thanks in advance.

Carmelo
97 Talon
Texas

  

Report This Post to Admin Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

WickedESiMay-24-04 09:24 AM
Donating 2GNT member
3090 posts,
Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list
#24021, "RE: How to Replace an Inner Tie Rod (Write-Up)"
In response to Reply # 4




          

I saw a torn boot, so since it got contaminated it would have failed soon, so I replaced it and the boot.

My friends actually had forward and back play in it. If you removed the tie rod end from the hub and pressed on the inner tie rod.


Joel Baldridge, ASE Certified Master Technician, Audi Certified Expert Technician

  

Report This Post to Admin Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

talonesi-tMay-29-04 05:52 AM
Member since May 11th 2003
56 posts,
Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list
#24130, "RE: How to Replace an Inner Tie Rod (Write-Up)"
In response to Reply # 0


          

the inner tie rod i bought has the flat spots on the inside of it can a crow's foot be used to install it???

  

Report This Post to Admin Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

WickedESiJun-02-04 09:45 PM
Donating 2GNT member
3090 posts,
Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list
#24204, "RE: How to Replace an Inner Tie Rod (Write-Up)"
In response to Reply # 6




          

Yes.


Joel Baldridge, ASE Certified Master Technician, Audi Certified Expert Technician

  

Report This Post to Admin Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

reaxionAug-13-04 03:17 PM
Member since May 07th 2004
77 posts,
Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list
#24957, "RE: How to Replace an Inner Tie Rod (Write-Up)"
In response to Reply # 7


          

hey! I just bought my tie rods today and was wondering how to do this. I look up on 2gnt, and boo-yah! here we go. sounds fairly easy...

build what you want.


'98 GS SOLD

  

Report This Post to Admin Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

Dont_need_8Aug-31-04 02:52 PM
Member since Aug 30th 2002
197 posts,
Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list
#25078, "RE: How to Replace an Inner Tie Rod (Write-Up)"
In response to Reply # 8


          

I found that an arm puller is not really needed, I used a rubber mallet with no problem. I did this a while back, one tell tale sign that it needs to be done is if you take a corner that has a bump you can sometimes hear the tie rod end make a pop sound as the sunspension un-weights and re-weights. At least that was the case for me. You can also jack up the car and wiggle the wheel side to side while looking at the tie rod, if the wheel has play but the tie rod isn't moving it needs to be replaced. You can get a better feel for this by taking the wheel off and pushing the hub assembly back and forth.


AEM CAI
AFX Underdrive Pulley
17" Fondmetal 6500
Tokico Illuminas
Eibach Pro Kit Springs
Front Upper Strut Bar
Baer Track System
Greddy Header

  

Report This Post to Admin Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

WickedESiSep-02-04 07:12 AM
Donating 2GNT member
3090 posts,
Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list
#25085, "RE: How to Replace an Inner Tie Rod (Write-Up)"
In response to Reply # 9




          

Yes, you can use a hammer to remove the tie rod ends, but it's not recommended.

If you do, you should thread the castle nut on upside down (so that it's pointing up), untill it's flat with the stud. This will help in preventing mushrooming the threads.


Joel Baldridge, ASE Certified Master Technician, Audi Certified Expert Technician

  

Report This Post to Admin Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

Top 2GNT Technical Handling/Suspension topic #23113 1 | 2 | Previous topic | Next topic
Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.2
Copyright 1997-2003 DCScripts.com

I generated this page in 0.054240942001343 seconds, executing 12 queries.