Tie Rod: Service and Repair

Tie Rod - Inner

WARNING: Before beginning any service procedure, REFER to Safety Warnings . Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

Material(s)






Exploded View










Removal

NOTICE: When servicing inner tie rods, install a new bellows boot and clamps. 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 (Right Hand) inner tie rod is being serviced, remove the LH (Left Hand) outer tie-rod end and bellows boot 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. REFER to Lifting Points .

2. NOTICE: Disconnect the battery ground cable anytime the steering linkage is being serviced or damage to the steering gear internal power relay may occur resulting in steering gear replacement.

Disconnect the battery ground cable. REFER to Battery Disconnect .

3. Remove the wheel and tire. REFER to Wheel and Tire .

4. Remove the 8 screws and the underbody insulator.





5. Loosen the tie-rod jam nut(s).

6. Remove and discard the outer tie-rod end nut(s).

7. NOTICE: Do not use a hammer to separate the outer tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle or damage to the wheel knuckle may result.

NOTICE: Use care when installing the tie rod separator or damage to the outer tie-rod end boot may occur.

NOTE: Count and record the number of turns required to remove the outer tie-rod end for reference during installation.
Using an appropriate tie rod separator, separate the outer tie-rod end(s) from the wheel knuckle(s).

8. Remove the tie-rod jam nut(s).

9. Remove and discard the inner and outer bellows boot clamps.

10. Remove and discard the bellows boot(s).

11. NOTICE: Hold the steering gear rack 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 LH (Left Hand) side when servicing the RH (Right Hand) inner tie rod.

NOTE: Crowfoot-style inner tie-rod tool shown.
While holding the steering gear rack, use a suitable crowfoot-style inner tie-rod tool (such as Snap On(R) Stock# YA3000B) or an appropriate-sized crowfoot wrench to remove the inner tie rod.





Installation

1. NOTICE: Hold the steering gear rack 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: Use an assistant to hold the steering gear rack on the LH (Left Hand) side when servicing the RH (Right Hand) inner tie rod.

NOTE: Crowfoot-style inner tie-rod tool shown.
While holding the steering gear rack, use a suitable crowfoot-style inner tie-rod tool (such as Snap On(R) Stock# YA3000B) or an appropriate-sized crowfoot wrench to install the inner tie rod.
- Tighten to 83 Nm (61 lb-ft).





2. Apply the specified grease to the steering gear-to-bellows boot mating surfaces and bellows boot grooves in the inner tie-rod casting.

3. NOTE: Make sure the steering gear bellows is positioned correctly over the steering gear housing bead and the grooves in the inner tie-rod casting.
Position the new inner bellows boot clamp(s) on the new bellows boot(s) and install the bellows boot(s).

4. NOTICE: Make sure the end of the steering gear bellows boot is positioned between the 2 grooves on the inner tie rod or an internal leak may occur.

Using a boot clamp installer, crimp/tighten the inner bellows boot clamp(s).

- Install the outer bellows boot clamp(s).

5. Thread the tie-rod jam nut(s) onto the inner tie rod(s).

6. NOTE: Install the outer tie rod the same number of turns recorded during removal.
Thread the outer tie rod(s) onto the inner tie rod(s).

7. Connect the outer tie-rod end(s) to the wheel knuckle(s) and install the new nut(s).
- Tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).

8. Tighten the tie-rod jam nut(s).
- Tighten to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft).

9. Position the underboy insulator and install the 8 screws.
- Tighten to 1.1 Nm (10 lb-in).





10. Install the wheel and tire. REFER to Wheel and Tire .

11. Connect the battery ground cable. REFER to Battery Disconnect .

12. Check and, if necessary, adjust the front toe. REFER to Toe Adjustment - Front .