Steering Linkage Inner Tie Rod Replacement

Steering Linkage Inner Tie Rod Replacement

Special Tools

J-34028 - Inner Tie Rod Wrench

Disassembly Procedure

1. Remove the steering gear from the vehicle. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement (Steering Gear Replacement).

Note: After removing the boots, inspect the inner tie rod for evidence of corrosion or contamination. If none is evident, continue with the repair. If corrosion or contamination is evident, replace the steering gear.

2. Remove the 2 steering gear boots and breather tubes from the steering gear. Refer to Steering Gear Boot and Breather Tube Replacement - Off Vehicle (Steering Gear Boot and Breather Tube Replacement - Off Vehicle).
3. Place the steering gear in a vise.





Caution: Do not change the steering gear preload adjustment before moving the inner tie rod from the steering gear. Changing the steering gear preload adjustment before moving the inner tie rod could result in damage to the pinion and the steering gear.

4. Slide the left shock dampener (4) from the left inner tie rod housing (6) to the rack (5).

Caution: The pipe wrench must be placed at the valve end of the steering gear and positioned up against the inner tie rod housing. Placing the pipe wrench in any other location will cause damage to the steering gear.

5. Place a pipe wrench on the rack next to the left inner tie rod housing.
6. Place a wrench on the flats of the left inner tie rod housing.
7. Rotate the left inner tie rod housing counterclockwise, while holding the rack stationary, until the left inner tie rod separates from the rack.




8. Slide the right shock dampener (3) from the right inner tie rod housing (2) to the rack (5).
9. Place a pipe wrench on the left side of the rack.
10. Place a wrench on the flats of the right inner tie rod housing.
11. Rotate the right inner tie rod housing counterclockwise, while holding the rack stationary, until the right inner tie rod (1) separates from the rack.




12. If the steering gear has a female rack (1) and a male inner tie rod (3), remove the old LOCTITE(R) from the threads (2) on the inner tie rod and from the threads on the rack.
If the steering gear has a male rack (5) and a female inner tie rod (4), LOCTITE(R) will not be present.

Assembly Procedure





Note: The threads must be clean prior to LOCTITE(R) application. Inspect the LOCTITE(R), or equivalent, container for the expiration date. Use only enough LOCTITE(R) to evenly coat the threads.

If the steering gear has a male rack (5) and a female inner tie rod (2), do not apply LOCTITE(R).

1. If the steering gear has a female rack (1) and a male inner tie rod (3), apply LOCTITE(R) 262, or equivalent, to the threads (2) on the left inner tie rod.




2. Install the left inner tie rod to the rack (3).
3. Place a pipe wrench on the rack next to the left inner tie rod housing (2).

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution (Fastener Caution).

4. Place a torque wrench and the J-34028 - wrench on the flats of the left inner tie rod housing. Tighten the inner tie rod to 100 Nm (74 lb ft).




5. If the steering gear has a female rack (5) and a male inner tie rod (1), apply LOCTITE(R) 262, or equivalent, to the threads on the right inner tie rod.
6. Install the right inner tie rod to the rack.
7. Place a pipe wrench on the rack next to the left inner tie rod housing (4).
8. Place a torque wrench and the J-34028 - wrench on the flats of the steering linkage inner tie rod housing (7). Tighten the inner tie rod to 100 Nm (74 lb ft).




9. Place each inner tie rod assembly (2) on a vise.

Note: If the steering gear has a female rack (1) and a male inner tie rod (2), do not stake. If the steering gear has a male rack and a female inner tie rod, you must stake.

10. Stake both sides of the 2 female inner tie rod housings to the male rack.




11. Insert a 0.25 mm gauge.thinsp;(1) between the rack (2) and the inner tie rod housing in order to inspect the 4 stakes. The feeler gauge must not pass between the rack and the inner tie rod housing stake.




12. Slide the left shock dampener (2) over the left inner tie rod housing (3) until the front lip of the left shock dampener bottoms against the left inner tie rod housing.
13. Slide the right shock dampener over the right inner tie rod housing until the front lip of the right shock dampener bottoms against the right inner tie rod housing.
14. Install the 2 steering gear boots and breather tubes to the steering gear. Refer to Steering Gear Boot and Breather Tube Replacement - Off Vehicle (Steering Gear Boot and Breather Tube Replacement - Off Vehicle).
15. Install the steering gear to the vehicle. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement (Steering Gear Replacement).