hey guys, figured i would do a small write up on an inner tie rod removal and install. its a pretty simple job but im sure some one might find it help full. Tools: -jack, jack stand(s) -wheel chock -pickle fork -hammer -torque wrench -sockets (13/16 for castellated nut and a 19mm for lug nuts) -you also need two wrenches for the tie rod jamb nut and the tie rod sleeve, i didnt have big enough wrenches so i used two adjustable wrenches. -small ruler, something to take a measurement with -new tie rod, i have used moog for all steering linkage repairs. I found that it is easier to loosen the castellated nut (13/16 socket) on the tie rod stud by turning the wheel all the way to the side your working on and loosening it before jacking the truck up and taking the wheel off. mine was on there pretty good so it took some pulling force, didnt want to rock the truck while it was on stands. after i had the nut loose i put my wheel chocks down, jacked the truck up, put it on stands and took the wheel off (19mm socket) set wheel aside. next i finished taking the nut off of the tie rod stud with a normal socket wrench. after the nut is off, its time to start hammering that pickle fork between the tie rod and the center link to pop the tie rod out. it took me a few trys to pop the rod out, just make sure you have the right size fork, i used the smallest fork in the kit. not sure what size it was. just keep hammering it and eventually the tie rod will pop. after the tie rod is popped out you need to measure the jamb nut to the last thread of the tie rod, this will help with keeping the truck in alignment. (measure from the top of the nut in the picture to the end of the threads. you will use this same measurement when installing the new tie rod. new tie rod is pictured) after you make your measurement you need to undo the jamb nut and back it off of the tie rod sleeve a bit. makes it a little easier to undo the tie rod from the sleeve. if youre replacing the right inner tie rod these threads will be reversed. once the jamb nut is loosened unscrew the tie rod out of the sleeve, then unscrew the jamb nut from the tie rod, you will need this for the new tie rod. put the jamb nut on the new tie rod, remember its reverse thread. if you havent done it yet it would be a good idea to put the grease fitting in the new tie rod and also grease it. after this is done install the tie rod into the sleeve by screwing it in. remember when screwing it in to use your measurement you took from the old tie rod. after you have the jamb nut at the proper measurement away from the end of the threads put the tie rod stud through the center link and tighten to 66 FT/LBs with your torque wrench and dont forget to put your cotter pin through the tie rod stud. if the castellated nut is covering the hole in the stud tighten it little by little until the hole is visible, put the cotter pin through and spread the legs of the pin. Never loosen the castellated nut to fit the cotter pin through the hole, always tighten it. put your wheel back on, torque lugs nuts (i torque mine to 155 FT/LBs.) and the job is finished! hope this helps and i hope i didnt leave anything out!
Good work. We replaced struts on a car the other day and we had to take the spindle off to get the old ones off Sent from my iFord f150
