Anybody ever change tie rods?

Prospect62 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 27, 2008 9:35 pm

Just wondering if they are a pain to get off. I need to change my outers. There's that threaded piece and some kind of jam nut...it just screams "looks easier than it will be". If nobody's done it before, I guess I'll be doing that tech article myself!

Guest · **Posted:** Wed Feb 27, 2008 9:38 pm

it's easy. crack loose the jam nut before taking the nut off the tie rod@the knuckle, douse liberally with PB blaster if it gives you any issues, have a beer, and let it soak. After that, take the nut on the tie rod@the knuckle off, and you're done. once you do enough of em, you can do it in 15 minutes :lol:

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 27, 2008 9:40 pm

Prospect62 wrote:

Just wondering if they are a pain to get off. I need to change my outers. There's that threaded piece and some kind of jam nut...it just screams "looks easier than it will be". If nobody's done it before, I guess I'll be doing that tech article myself!

Easy,loosen jam nut and unscrew the outer tie rod end(make sure you are holding the inner tie rod end with something like a vise-grips,it will spin),oh don't forget to unhook it from the knuckle first.Count the threads first so you can get it somewhat close as was before then get a alignment.

Prospect62 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 28, 2008 3:08 pm

Thanks guys. I guess it really is as easy as it looks!

Signcutter21 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 28, 2008 5:51 pm

Great timing on your post Prospect. I need to do mine this weekend too. Was wondering the same thing as you. I was planning on using a paint marker to mark the thread to get it close to previous alignment.

later,mike

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Feb 28, 2008 7:03 pm

better to count the threads, once when you start turning the lock nut you will wipe out your paint marks, count the threads and write it down, do like Troy said for R&R and then reset them back to same spots

LostRenegade · **Posted:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 6:17 pm

How do you know if your tie rods are bad?

BeepBeepJeepJeep · **Posted:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 6:46 pm

tommudd wrote:

better to count the threads, once when you start turning the lock nut you will wipe out your paint marks, count the threads and write it down, do like Troy said for R&R and then reset them back to same spots

You can mark it on the inside, opposite of the direction of the nut, no?

Prospect62 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 7:02 pm

LostRenegade wrote:

How do you know if your tie rods are bad?

My steering is tight, but the boots of the tie rod ends are ripped and the grease is pretty much gone. There was water coming out of mine. When I finally do go to get it aligned (if ever), I'm expecting them to tell me they're bad. That's why I'm doing them now.

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 7:18 pm

BeepBeepJeepJeep wrote:

tommudd wrote:

better to count the threads, once when you start turning the lock nut you will wipe out your paint marks, count the threads and write it down, do like Troy said for R&R and then reset them back to same spots

You can mark it on the inside, opposite of the direction of the nut, no?

You have the tie rod end itself that threads upon and then you have the locknut that you need to loosen. NOW if you are real good and can hold that locking nut in the same spot and turn off the tie rod end then yes you will be ok, most times I find I have everything all loosened up before I am done, so its very simply to "just count the threads" easier than putting paint on it :roll:

Oh and Troy and I concur thats the best way to do it, so ... :wink:

Prospect62 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 7:24 pm

tommudd wrote:

Oh and Troy and I concur thats the best way to do it, so ... :wink:

And this...is the the Gospel of the Lord... :wink:

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 7:32 pm

Prospect62 wrote:

tommudd wrote:

Oh and Troy and I concur thats the best way to do it, so ... :wink:

And this...is the the Gospel of the Lord... :wink:

Gospel of the Lord, no not on my part, I learned it the hard way, starting at age 12, then went to school to learn the correct way. :wink:

Now just a government employee and have fun on the side arguing with people on here! :roll:

Prospect62 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 7:39 pm

Just joshin. You and tjkj have more knowledge in your eyebrows than I have in my tiny alcohol damaged brain.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 7:42 pm

Prospect62 wrote:

Just joshin. You and tjkj have more knowledge in your eyebrows than I have in my tiny alcohol damaged brain.

My liver is still on vaction from all the drinking between '96-'00 :lol:

(Marine Corps)

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 7:49 pm

Prospect62 wrote:

Just joshin. You and tjkj have more knowledge in your eyebrows than I have in my tiny alcohol damaged brain.

I knew you were :wink:

alcohol damaged, been there, and have lots of people still reminding me what I threw away, but its all very cloudy yet today!

Anybody ever change tie rods?

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