Help with inner tie rod part

[Warren]

Hi, I had my front tires changed and now at slow speeds I feel a wobbling movement on the passenger side. I jacked up the car and put my hands on the tire and at 9 and 3 there is ALOT of play. Im guessing I need to change the inner tie rod. My question is if I buy this part, will I still need the tool to remove and install it?

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/pa...s/_/N-j0ykeZ8oxky?itemIdentifier=1861_0_4988_

 

[intimdatr]

Unless you want a really big pain i would recommend getting the tool and making your lide a lot easier.
Ive dont it before with out by using a pair of vice grips and a lot of cussing and a bloody knuckle. was not fun.

 

[sperold]

I think the tool is called a pickle fork and it works very well.
The other method is using a 5 lb hammer and hitting it at the large part of the casting and it will pop apart, but it feels brutal, but it also works.
If you have any issues with your steering rack and are thinking of replacing it, it comes with new inner tie rod ends, and there have been times when the whole rack is just as cheap as buying the 2 inner tie rod ends.

 

[kevinspann]

Yes, you would be best served by renting or buying the inner tie rod removal tool. Makes it easier, once you get the thing on.

 

[Warren]

Hi I just took a video and now im not sure it is the inner tie rod. I think it is outer maybe? Please take a look and let me know

http://youtu.be/eV3APdPBMhI
http://youtu.be/jv0tfpJ50SQ

 

[kevinspann]

Outer definitely looks bad.

Easy to replace first, then you can go from there to see if it's the inner as well. The bad inner that I have replaced on another car, you could tell it when you disconnected the outer tie rod from the spindle and moved the whole thing in and out.

 

[Warren]

do you think its too dangerous to drive 120 miles home?

 

[kevinspann]

Uhhh, I'd rather not, but I'd imagine it's been that way for a while?

 

[Warren]

Well the wobble at slow speeds wasnt noticable until i got new tires.

 

[Warren]

Im just going to pick one up at autozone and install it real quick. I dont wanna take a chance thats too risky. Thanks for all the advice guys.

 

[kevinspann]

yep, if it comes loose, the hard part is done. Just thread it back on to where the old one was and it'll be close enough.

 

[Warren]

I think I'm going to lose my mind I cannot get the nut loose at all I put pb blaster on it I still cannot get enough to back off so that way I could spin the outer tie rod out any tips? this is on the passenger side of the car which way should nut be backing off clockwise or counterclockwise

 

[Bob Gervais]

I think I'm going to lose my mind I cannot get the nut loose at all I put pb blaster on it I still cannot get enough to back off so that way I could spin the outer tie rod out any tips? this is on the passenger side of the car which way should nut be backing off clockwise or counterclockwise

Righty tighty, lefty loosey, just like a regular RH thread.

They can be troublesome to get loosened up. Try some heat on the tie rod body and nut.

 

[pjtoledo]

gotta ask, required by the rules. did you remove the cotter pin?

get a good wrench, and pull till something breaks. then I back the nut down to flush with the end of the stud to protect the threads, and its hammer time. I prefer to swing up and hit the end of the nut-protected stud, others hit the side of the part the stud goes into.

 

[pjtoledo]

I think I'm going to lose my mind I cannot get the nut loose at all I put pb blaster on it I still cannot get enough to back off so that way I could spin the outer tie rod out any tips? this is on the passenger side of the car which way should nut be backing off clockwise or counterclockwise

the nut on the tie rod itself? or on the stud in the knuckle?


for the nut on the rod, it may require buying a new nut, but 18" pipe wrenches work great in that application. that reminds me, I gotta make a post about my "Rigid" in the non-SHO section.