Tie Rod: Service and Repair

Steering Linkage - Full Time Four-Wheel Drive:

^ Tools Required:
- J 6627-A Tie Rod Puller
- J 24319-B Universal Steering Linkage Puller
- J 29193 Steering Linkage Installer (12 mm)

NOTE:
- All procedures for alignment, adjustment, and assembly of tie rods apply to left and right sides.
- Use the proper tool to separate all tie rods and ball joints.

REMOVE OR DISCONNECT

NOTE: Raise the vehicle and support it with jack stands.

1. Cotter pins and castellated nuts.
2. Prevailing torque nuts from the inner tie rod ball studs. Discard the prevailing torque nuts.

CAUTION: Do not attempt to disengage the tie rod ball studs by driving a wedge type tool, or seal damage could result.

Removing The Outer Tie Rod Ball Stud:

3. Outer tie rod ball studs from the steering knuckle using J 24319-B.

Removing The Inner Tie Rod Ball Stud:

4. Inner tie rod ball studs from the relay rod using J 6627-A.

Tie Rod Adjuster Tube:

5. Tie rod ends from the adjuster tube.
^ Loosen the clamp bolts and unscrew the tie rod ends.

Inspect
- Tie rod end for damage.
- Tie rod end seals for excessive wear.
- Threads on the tie rod and tie rod end for damage.
- Ball stud threads for damage.
- Adjuster tube for bending or damaged threads.

Clean
- Threads on the ball stud and in the ball stud nut.
- The tapered surfaces.

INSTALL OR CONNECT

NOTE: If the tie rod ends were removed from the adjuster tube, lubricate the tie rod threads with chassis lubricant.

1. Tie rod ends to the adjuster tube. The number of threads on the inner and outer tie rod ends must be equal within three threads.
^ The clamps must be loose on the adjuster tube.
2. Inner tie rod ball studs to the relay rod using J 29193. Make sure the seal is on the stud. Tighten J 29193 to 54 Nm (40 ft. lbs.) to seat the tapers. Remove the tool.
3. New prevailing torque nut to the inner tie rod ball stud. Tighten to 47 Nm (35 ft. lbs.).
4. Outer tie rod ball studs to the steering knuckle. Make sure the seal is on the stud.
5. Castel nut. Tighten to 47 Nm (35 ft. lbs.).

NOTE: Advance the nut to align the nut slot with the cotter pin hole. Never back the nut off to align the cotter pin hole.

6. New cotter pin.
^ Lower the vehicle.
7. Adjuster tube clamp bolts and nuts.
- Do not tighten the nuts.
- The clamps must be positioned between the locating dimples at either end of the adjuster tube.
- Rotate both inner and outer tie rod sockets to their rearward position.

Tie Rod Adjuster Tube Clamp:

Adjust Toe-In
a. The centerline of the bolt must be positioned as shown.
b. The relationship of the clamp slot to the slot in the adjuster tube must be as shown.
c. Clamp ends may touch when nuts are tightened to specification. Gap must be visible adjacent to adjuster tube. Tighten Nuts to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.).
- Rotate the tie rod sockets to their centered position (outer socket square with its stud).