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. NOTE: The hex holding feature can be used to prevent turning of the stud while removing the nut.

Remove the tie-rod end nut.

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

Remove the tie-rod end.
5. Remove the jam nut.
6. Remove the outer bellows clamp.

7. NOTE: A new bellows clamp must be installed.

Remove and discard the inner bellows clamp and remove the bellows.
8. Remove the inner tie-rod bellows.





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

Using the special tool. remove the inner tie-rod.

Installation

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

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 grooves in the inner tie-rod.

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

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

Position the inner tie-rod bellows clamp and install the bellows.





3. Using the special tool, install the inner bellows clamp.

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

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

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

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

7. NOTE: The hex holding feature can be used to prevent turning of the stud while installing the nut.

Install the tie-rod end nut.
^ Tighten to 90 Nm (66 ft. lbs.).

8. Tighten the tie-rod end jam nut.
^ Tighten to 80 Nm (59 ft. lbs.).

9. Check and, if necessary, adjust the front toe.