Tie Rod: Service and Repair
Inner Tie Rod
Removal
NOTICE: When servicing inner tie rods, a new bellows boot and clamps must be installed. 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 failure of the steering gear components. Zip ties must not be used as they do not provide an airtight seal.
NOTICE: The inner ball joint grease is not compatible with water contamination. Do not allow water to become trapped in the grease or degradation and failure of the joint may occur.
NOTE: If the RH inner tie rod is being serviced, the Left Hand (LH) outer tie-rod end and bellows boot must also be removed to access and hold the steering gear rack when loosening and tightening the inner tie rod.
1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.
2. Loosen the tie-rod jam nut.
3. Remove and discard the outer tie-rod end nut.
4. NOTICE: Use care when installing the Ball Joint Tool Separator or damage to the tie-rod end boot may occur.
Using the Ball Joint Tool Separator, separate the outer tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle.
5. NOTE: Note the number of times the outer tie-rod ends turn for reference during assembly.
Remove the outer tie-rod end.
6. Remove the tie-rod jam nut from the inner tie rod.
7. NOTE: New bellows boot clamps must be installed.
Remove and discard the inner and outer bellows boot clamps.
8. Remove and discard the steering gear bellows boot.
9. NOTE: The steering gear rack must be held while loosening or tightening the inner tie rod or damage to the steering gear may occur. Place the steering gear at the center position. Use an appropriate-sized wrench on the flat/teeth of the rack to resist rotation and to prevent damage during removal of the inner tie rod.
NOTE: An assistant will be needed to hold the steering gear rack on the Left Hand (LH) side when servicing the Right Hand (RH) inner tie rod.
While holding the steering gear rack, use an appropriate-sized crowfoot wrench to remove the inner tie rod.
10. Thoroughly clean and inspect all the parts to be reused. Install new parts as necessary.
Installation
1. NOTICE: The steering gear rack must be held while loosening or tightening the inner tie rod or damage to the steering gear may occur. Place the steering gear at the center position. Use an appropriate-sized wrench on the flat/teeth of the rack to resist rotation and to prevent damage during removal of the inner tie rod.
NOTE: An assistant will be needed to hold the steering gear rack on the Left Hand (LH) side when servicing the Right Hand (RH) inner tie rod.
Using an appropriate-sized crowfoot wrench, install the inner tie rod.
- Tighten to 120 Nm (89 lb-ft).
2. NOTICE: Position the inner end of the steering gear bellows boot correctly over the steering gear housing bead and position the outer end ID bead on the groove of the inner tie rod or an internal leak can result.
NOTE: Apply the specified grease to the bellows boot groove on the inner tie rod.
Install the new steering gear bellows boot.
3. Using the Boot Clamp Pliers, install a new inner bellows boot clamp.
4. Install a new outer bellows boot clamp.
5. Thread the tie-rod jam nut onto the inner tie rod.
6. NOTE: Install the outer tie-rod end the same number of turns as recorded during the removal.
Install the outer tie-rod end.
7. NOTICE: Make sure that the tie-rod end boots are seated correctly on the tie-rod ends or failure may occur.
Connect the outer tie-rod end to the wheel knuckle and install a new tie-rod end nut.
- Tighten the new nut to 115 Nm (85 lb-ft).
8. Tighten the tie-rod jam nut.
- Tighten to 103 Nm (76 lb-ft).
9. Check and if necessary, adjust the front toe.