tie rod removal

[DavidT]

car is on jackstands right now. I am replacing the inner tie rod.
Currently I have the cotter pin and castle nut removed from outer tie rod. Does the stud (the castle nut threads on) pop out of the knuckle? (Is it PART of the outer tie rod?) It appears it is NOT when I jiggle the outer with a wrench... the outer will move but the stud stays stationary.
Do I try to loosen the outer form the inner THEN remove the outer from the knuckle?
Anyone have a picture of this? I don't see a locking nut on mine.

 

[UnsungZero]

the stud and tie rod are attached like a ball and socket


there should be a nut at the other end of the outer tie rod
break that loose first.

you need a pickle fork to remove the outer from the knuckle. place the fork between the outer and the knuckle. and beat on the fork

or thread the castle nut upside down untl the stud is almost through the nut and beat on it with a hammer.

unthread the outer once it's separated from the knuckle...then unthread the locknut. then remove the inner tie rod boot....and blah blah you should figure out the rest

 

[DavidT]

thanks.
However there is NO locknut on the existing tie rod.

 

[DavidT]

the outer tie rod won't budge from the spindle
Can I damage anything (stering rack, etc...) by beating on the tie rod? Can I hit ANY part of the outer tie rod?

 

[Slo-Sho]

Dude, just use a 5lb sledge or similar and WHACK the crap outta the side of the knuckle. The tie rod will pop right out if you put enough hip into it.

 

[Bryan C. King]

On the outer tie rod, Loosen up the nut and leave it threaded on. Use the sledge hammer on the nut so it won't damage the threads, (dosent matter if you are going to replace it). Usually one or two good whacks and it pops loose. The inner tie rod uses a specail tool on most cars you can buy at some local parts stores for around $60.00

 

[DavidT]

finally got it
don't have a 1/2 inch socket for the tool.
btw, the inner tie rod came with some grease. I assume I pack it in the rubber boot... do I need to also put some in the outer tie rod where they connect?

 

[DavidT]

got it back together. But what the heck is that little set screw looking thing for. I assume it screws into one of the holes at the inner tie rod end. I didn't use it. Is that ok?

 

[autobahnsho]

Dude, just use a 5lb sledge or similar and WHACK the crap outta the side of the knuckle. The tie rod will pop right out if you put enough hip into it.

He got it, but still, if that doesn't work, just get a bigger hammer.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sometimes in generic parts you get a lot of pieces you don't need. That's just so it will go on several different kinds of cars. If you got the nut with a cotter or whatever, so it won't fall off, you should be good.

You might be referring to a grease fitting. (Does it have a little ball bearing in it?) If so, you screw it into the big hole on top of the outer end. Then you can put a grease gun on it to make sure it's lubed. Put grease in until you see a little bit of grease come out.

BTW when I put a new outer end on once it REALLY squeaked for a few turns until it got broken in some. Don't be scared!

 

[DavidT]

1. is that "set screw looking thing" a grease fitting (at the end of the inner tie rod... where the special tool has to be applied)? I didn't use it whatever it is... there was a hole on eithr side to screw it into, so I was baffled...

2. I went ahead and replaced the outer tie rod. It came with a grease boot. Seeing how I have never changed a tie rod before AND the outer tie rod that WAS on there DIDN'T have a boot over it, I left it off The service shop where I had it aligned "reminded" me I left that boot off. Can I still install it without removing anything? If so, where/how exactly does it go? Do I need to pack it with grease?
God bless the SHOFORUM

 

[UnsungZero]

the little screw thingy is kinda like a set screw....i usually leave em off and coat the threads of the end that goes to the rack with some red lock tite

and this boot you speak of......is it the one that goes over the inner or is it the cup that goes on the outer??

either way you have to remove something

if it's the cup for the outer you shouldnt need to get it re aligned though

 

[DavidT]

it IS the cup for the outer. How would I NOT need another alignment if I had to undo it and install the cap?



also, I just put some grease in the end of the inner tie rod... I used no loctite. Is this OK?

 

[UnsungZero]

you would not need an alignment again if you just break the tie rod loose off of the steering knuckle because you are not shortening or lengthening the inner and outer tie rod. (just dont break the locknut loose....oh, and regrease the outer after you put the cup back on.....quickly).

i cant say that it's bad.....i didnt use locktite on one of my inners (i forgot ) it's been on for a year and hasnt fallen off.......

just be certain you cranked it on the rack pretty good.