211 Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 Just bought an inner and outer tie rod end (and the boot too) for my 2000 OBW. I've done ball joints before, in fact I have a ball joint puller (U-Shaped tool with a threaded shaft through the center). The inner tie rod looks a little hard to get at however. Looking at the new part there's flat sides on the "knuckle" end. It appears that you can lock onto that with a large end wrench to unscrew it. Are there any other steps I'm not aware of? If I start unscrewing the inner tie rod is there another section of linkage that will start spinning? And installation, I don't see any jam nuts or anything, do you just crank down on it till it's tight? The outer tie rod end is self explanatory. I dont' have a manual so I'm going in blind... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOthis Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 the inner tie rod end screws into the end of the steering rack....you could invest in an inner tie rod tool...it is very helpful....and not to expensive.....i think the inner tie rods on my 96 Legacy were 22mm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
211 Posted August 28, 2008 Author Share Posted August 28, 2008 the inner tie rod end screws into the end of the steering rack....you could invest in an inner tie rod tool...it is very helpful....and not to expensive.....i think the inner tie rods on my 96 Legacy were 22mm For a one-time use tool, I don't know if that's practical to buy one. What's the procedure for doing it without the tool? Is that the 22mm? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njdrsubaru Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 i replaced the inner tie rod on my legacy not too long ago, and i didnt need that special tool... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 i replaced the inner tie rod on my legacy not too long ago, and i didnt need that special tool... i've removed them to reboot before as well and never used any special tools. been fairly straight forward for me. just count the threads on the outer one so it's installed the same and doesn't mess with your alignment. or have an alignment done afterwards. how do you guys know the inner tie rod needs replaced, i've never replaced one except in friends vehicles where they actually broke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOthis Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 tool just makes things easier (for me at least)....may i ask how many miles are on the car? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
211 Posted August 28, 2008 Author Share Posted August 28, 2008 may i ask how many miles are on the car? I'm pushing 96k ... The guys at les schwab told me the inner tie rod needs replacing. Figured I'd just do both inner and outer while I'm in there. Also, I peeked under there and the boot is torn on the inner and grease has flung out so, yeah I'ts probably bad. I can feel it shimmy when braking and when I go over bumps- getting worse too. So question: Does the inner tie rod thread into the steering rack till it bottoms out? Or is there some threads exposed that I need to count? From the looks of it, the only exposed threads (alignment adjustment) is between the outer tie rod and the connecting rod to the inner tie rod. ...That's just a quick glance under the tire yesterday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screwbaru2 Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 I'm pushing 96k ... The guys at les schwab told me the inner tie rod needs replacing. Figured I'd just do both inner and outer while I'm in there. Also, I peeked under there and the boot is torn on the inner and grease has flung out so, yeah I'ts probably bad. I can feel it shimmy when braking and when I go over bumps- getting worse too. So question: Does the inner tie rod thread into the steering rack till it bottoms out? Or is there some threads exposed that I need to count? From the looks of it, the only exposed threads (alignment adjustment) is between the outer tie rod and the connecting rod to the inner tie rod. ...That's just a quick glance under the tire yesterday. I used vise grips when I did it. Yes just thread it in all the way and tighten it. It is as easy as it looks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOthis Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 yeah there prob. due....as far as i know i had the original ones on my 96 until like 190,000 miles..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnuman Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 The inner tie-rod went bad because of the torn boot. Not only does it fling out the grease, but all the crap on the road flies in there and mixes with the grease, which then starts grinding away at the mating surfaces on that ball type joint that allows the inner tie-rod to flex. You should get the lock washer for the inner tie-rod, so you can lock it in place after you tighten it down, so that it wont back out as you are driving down the road (that would be bad.). To make the job easier, crank the wheel all the way to the side that you are replacing the tie-rod on, so that it is extended as car as it can be. This will just make everything easier to reach. Use a good grade of grease, and lube it good. Yeah, that is about everything that I can think of, that is not obvious. . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
211 Posted August 29, 2008 Author Share Posted August 29, 2008 Use a good grade of grease, and lube it good. Yeah, that is about everything that I can think of, that is not obvious. . . The inner tie rod came packed with grease already. It's pretty thick, like Crisco Shortening... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
211 Posted August 30, 2008 Author Share Posted August 30, 2008 OMG! That was sooo easy!!! I can't believe I waited so long to do that. It took me longer to get that stupid boot back over the steering rack than it did to do the rest of the work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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