Tie Rod End: Testing and Inspection

There are two tie rod assemblies. Each assembly is made up of the following five pieces:
- A sleeve
- Two clamps
- Two tie rod ends
The tie rod ends are threaded into the sleeve and secured with the clamps. The right and left hand threads are used for toe-in adjustments and for steering gear centering.
The tie rod ends are self-adjusting for wear and require periodic lubrication.
Replace the tie rod ends when any of the following conditions are present at the ball stud:
- Excessive up-and-down motion
- Excessive end play
- Loss of motion
Note the position of the following components before any service is undertaken:
- The position tie rod adjuster tube
- The direction from which the bolts are installed
The tie rod adjuster tube components may be rusted. Discard the nuts and the bolts if more than 9 Nm (80 inch lbs.) of torque are required in order to remove the nuts from the bolts.
Apply penetrating oil between the clamp and the tube. Rotate the clamps until the clamps move freely. Install all the parts, with the correct part number, in the proper position.