Tie Rod: Service and Repair

Inner Tie Rod





Special Tool(s)





Material





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.

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





5. CAUTION: Do not damage the tie-rod boot when installing the special tool.

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

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

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

8. NOTE: A new outer bellows clamp must be installed.

Remove and discard the outer bellows clamp.

9. NOTE: A new inner bellows clamp must be installed.

Remove and discard the inner bellows clamp.
10. Remove the steering gear bellows.





11. CAUTION: Place the steering gear at the center position. Use a 1 1/16 in. 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.

12. 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. Replace the parts as necessary.

Installation





1. Using the special tool, install the inner tie-rod.
^ Tighten to 100 Nm (74 ft. lbs.).

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

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

NOTE: Make sure the steering gear bellows is not twisted and the vent tube (if equipped) is securely inserted into the vent nipple of the steering gear bellows.

Install the steering gear bellows.
3. Using the special tool, install a new inner bellows 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 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. Tighten the tie-rod end jam nut.
^ Tighten to 80 Nm (59 ft. lbs.).
8. Position the tie-rod end to the wheel knuckle and install a new tie-rod end nut.
^ Tighten to 70 Nm (52 ft. lbs.).
9. Check and, if necessary, align the front end.