Tie Rod: Service and Repair

INNER TIE ROD

Removal

Caution:
^ The 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 ball joint grease is not compatible with water and 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.

Coil spring suspension vehicles





1. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.





2. Loosen the tie-rod end jam nuts.





3. Remove and discard the cotter pins and nuts.

Caution:
^ Do not damage the tie-rod end boot when installing the special tool.





4. Using the special tool, disconnect the tie-rod ends.

Note:
^ Note the number of times the tie-rod ends turn for assembly reference.

5. Remove the tie-rod ends.





6. Remove the tie-rod end jam nut.

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





7. Remove the inner and outer front suspension steering ball stud boot seal clamps.





8. Remove the front suspension steering ball stud boot seal.

Caution:
^ Place the steering gear at the center position. Use a 21 mm (0.82 inch) crowfoot on the flat of the rack gear to resist rotation and to prevent damage during removal and installation of the front wheel spindle tie-rod.

Note:
^ An assistant may be needed for removal of the RH front wheel spindle tie-rod.

9. Using the special tool (1), remove the front wheel spindle tie-rod (2).





Torsion bar suspension vehicles

10. Loosen the tie-rod end jam nuts.





11. Remove the steering gear.

Note:
^ Note the number of times the tie-rod ends turn for assembly reference.





12. Remove the tie-rod ends.

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





13. Remove the tie-rod end jam nuts and outer front suspension steering ball stud boot seal clamps.





14. Remove the inner front suspension steering ball stud boot seal clamps and the boot seals.

Caution:
^ Place the steering gear at the center position. Use a 21 mm (0.82 inch) crowfoot on the flat of the rack gear to resist rotation and to prevent damage during removal and Installation of the front wheel spindle tie-rod.

Note:
^ An assistant may be needed for removal of the RH front wheel spindle tie-rod.

15. Using the special tool (1), remove the front wheel spindle tie-rod (2).

All vehicles

Caution:
^ Thoroughly remove any dirt or abrasive material that is present. This material is extremely harmful to the steering gear.

16. Thoroughly clean and inspect all the parts to be reused. Replace the parts as necessary.

Installation





1. Lubricate the front wheel spindle tie-rod inner groove with steering gear grease where the front suspension steering ball stud boot seal is clamped.
1 Check that the front suspension, steering ball stud boot seal is positioned correctly over the steering gear housing bead at the large inside diameter (ID) and is in the front wheel spindle be-rod groove at the small ID.
2 Check that the front suspension steering ball stud boot seal is not twisted and the breather tube is securely inserted into the breather nipple at both front suspension steering ball stud boot seals.
2. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
3. Check the wheel alignment. Adjust as necessary.