Tie Rod: Service and Repair

Inner Tie Rod

Special Tool(s):

Material:

Removal

CAUTION: The steering gear bellows boots and clamps are designed to provide an airtight seal and protect the internal components of the steering gear. If the seal is not airtight, the vacuum generated during turning will draw water and contamination into the gear, causing premature damage.

CAUTION: Zip ties do not produce an airtight seal and must not be used.

CAUTION: The inner tie-rod ball joint grease is not compatible with water. Contamination trapped in the grease will degrade the life of the joint.

CAUTION: If present, the orientation of the vent tube must be noted so the boots and vent tubes can be installed in the correct location.

1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.
2. Loosen the tie-rod end jam nut.
3. Remove and discard the tie-rod end nut.

4. CAUTION: Careful not to damage the tie-rod boot when installing the special tool.

Using the special tool, disconnect the tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle.





5. NOTE: Count the number of turns required to remove the tie-rod end for reference during installation.

Remove the tie-rod end.
6. Remove the tie-rod end jam nut.

7. NOTE: New bellows boot clamps must be installed.

Remove and discard the inner and outer bellows boot clamp.
8. Remove the steering gear bellows boot.

9. CAUTION: Place the steering gear at the center position. Use a 1-1/16 inch crowfoot on the flat of the rack gear to resist rotation and to prevent damage during removal and installation of the inner tie rod.

NOTE: If repairing the RH side, it will be necessary to pull back the LH inner tie-rod boot to hold the steering gear.

NOTE: An assistant may be needed for removal of the RH inner tie rod.

Using the special tool, remove the inner tie rod.





10. CAUTION: Thoroughly remove any abrasive material. This material is extremely harmful to the steering gear.

Thoroughly clean and inspect all the parts to be reused. Install new parts as necessary.

Installation
1. Using the special tool, install the inner tie rod.
^ Tighten to 120 Nm (89 lb-ft).





2. NOTE: Apply steering gear grease to the steering gear bellows boot groove in the inner tie rod.

NOTE: Make sure the steering gear bellows boot is positioned correctly over the steering gear housing bead and the groove in the inner tie rod.

Install the steering gear bellows boot.
3. Using the special tool, install a new inner bellows boot clamp.





4. NOTE: Make sure the end of the steering gear bellows is positioned between the 2 grooves on the inner tie rod or an internal leak can result.

Install a new outer bellows boot clamp.
5. Thread the tie-rod end jam nut onto the inner tie rod.

6. NOTE: Install the tie-rod end the same number of turns as recorded during the removal.

Install the tie-rod end to the inner tie rod.

7. CAUTION: Make sure that the tie-rod end boots are seated correctly on the tie-rod ends or premature failure can occur.

Connect the tie-rod end to the wheel knuckle and install a new tie-rod end nut.
^ Tighten to 115 Nm (85 lb-ft).





8. Tighten the tie-rod end jam nut.
^ Tighten to 103 Nm (76 lb-ft).
9. Check and, if necessary, align the front end.