Tie Rod: Service and Repair

1. Unlock steering column by turning ignition key.
2. Engage parking brake, then raise and support vehicle.
3. Clean any loose dirt or oil from power steering gear and boot bellows.
4. Disconnect outer tie rod end from steering knuckle.
5. Loosen jamb nut and keep flush with outer tie rod.
6. Remove cotter pin and castle nut, then disconnect outer tie rod from steering knuckle.
7. Mark threads at jamb nut location, then remove outer tie rod end from inner tie rod.
8. Remove jamb nut from inner tie rod spindle.
9. Remove left and right steering gear boot bellows along with breather tube.
10. Remove rollpin or rivet securing inner tie rod to steering rack, Use a sharp chisel to gently pry up or rivet. Do not cut off.
11. Use side cutters to remove rivet. The rivet has a steel core which will deform the steering gear rack threads if it is not completely removed.
12. If rivet is not accessible, unscrew inner tie rod (less than one full turn). Have steering gear at or near full turn (lock) position. Use a wrench on rack teeth (flat) to resist rotation and prevent damage to pinion during removal and installation.
13. Remove inner tie rod from steering gear rack using a wrench on rack teeth in combination Rotunda socket (tool No. D90P-3290-A) or equivalent.
14. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a. Replenish any grease which may have been removed from rack teeth.
b. Install roll pin using channel locks.
c. Check inner tie rod function by moving tie rod spindle. Handshake in various directions.
d. Apply steering gear grease to inner tie rod groove where bellows attach to tie rod end. This allows for toe-in adjustment without twisting bellows.
e. Torque jamb nut to 42-50 ft.lbs.
f. Torque steering knuckle castle nut to 27 ft. lbs., continue tightening to 27-32 ft. lbs. to nearest hole slot.
g. Align front end to specification.