Outer Tie Rod End
REMOVE1. Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a frame contact type hoist.
2. Remove tire and wheel assembly.
3. Loosen the outer tie rod to adjustment sleeve jam nut.
4. Loosen but do not remove outer tie rod to strut assembly steering arm attaching nut. Then remove outer tie rod from steering arm using Puller, Special Tool MB-990636 or equivalent.
5. Remove outer tie rod from adjustment sleeve.
INSTALL
1. Install replacement outer tie rod into adjustment sleeve. Make sure jam nut is on outer tie rod.
2. Do not tighten jam nut.
3. Install outer tie rod into steering arm on front strut assembly. Install tie rod to steering arm attaching nut and tighten to a torque of 37 Nm (27 ft. lbs.).
4. Install and tighten the wheel mounting stud nuts in proper sequence until all nuts are torqued to half specification. Then repeat the tightening sequence to the full specified torque of 129 Nm (95 ft. lbs.).
CAUTION: When setting Toe on vehicle, the maximum dimension of exposed threads allowed on inner and outer tie rod can not exceed the distance shown. If the maximum distance is exceeded, inadequate retention of either inner or outer tie rod can result. This condition can cause separation of the inner or outer tie rod end from the adjusting sleeve. Ensure that adjustment sleeve jam nuts are torqued to required specification when Toe setting procedure is completed.
5. Check the front wheel TOE setting on vehicle and make required changes. When making front wheel TOE adjustments be sure the maximum exposed thread requirements are not exceeded.
CAUTION: When torquing adjustment sleeve jam nuts. The following procedure must be followed to ensure adequate torquing and retention of the adjustment sleeve jam nuts is obtained. Not following this procedure, could result in the Toe Setting Adjustment changing and/or separation of the inner or outer tie rod ends.
6. After completion of tie rod end installation and to Toe adjustment procedure, tighten inner tie rod adjusting sleeve jam nut to a torque of 75 Nm (55 ft. lbs.). When tightening jam nut, use a 27 mm crow foot and a clicker type torque wrench to obtain required torque. To avoid loosing Toe set adjustment and prevent adjusting sleeve from turning, a 23 mm wrench of sufficient size to resist the tightening torque of the jam nut must be used to hold adjusting sleeve.
7. Use an appropriate tool on neck area of outer tie rod to maintain the correct perpendicular orientation of the tie rod end stud within the tie rod end.
CAUTION: While tightening and torquing the outer tie rod jam nut, the adjusting sleeve must not be allowed to turn. Any turning movement of the adjusting sleeve can cause the inner tie rod jam nut to loosen. This condition is most likely to occur if jam nut is not tightened to the specified torque.
8. Tighten the outer tie rod jam nut to a torque of 75 Nm (55 ft. lbs.). When tightening jam nut, use a 27 mm crow foot and a clicker type torque wrench to obtain required torque. To avoid loosing Toe set adjustment and prevent adjusting sleeve from turning, a 23 mm wrench of sufficient size to resist the tightening torque of the jam nut must be used to hold adjusting sleeve.
9. Lower vehicle.