Hmmm... Answering my own thread... :-)
I found some more information on the part I'm describing...
http://www.autozone.com/in_our_stores/loan_a_tool/steering_suspension/saginaw_tie_rod_tool.htm
What I need is something that is smaller "across the flats" than 1-7/16".
Anyone got any ideas?
Chris Reck
""Chris Reck"" <chris92@insightbb.com> wrote in message
news:eciv2r$6mg$1@bent.twistedbits.net...
>
> OK, I've started tearing apart the front end. After removing the castle
> nut, the outer tie rod came out of the steering knuckle extremely easy
> (barely needed a pickle fork). The castle nut was on there pretty solid
> though, but I think it was time for it to go anyways. Now...
>
> How do I get the inner tie rod off the Center Link bar? I rented a Tie
> Rod
> Tool from AutoZone. it is two parts... one is a long bar (1/2" socket
> adapter) that slides over the tie rod shaft after removing the outer tie
> rod; and the second is a cutaway piece that fits into the long bar and has
> flat sides to grip the flat sides of the inner tie rod. I had to cut away
> the boot of the inner tie rod to get the cutaway piece to slide over it
> (didn't need it anyways). The cutaway piece is too large to fit the
> flattened sides. I'm going to call AutoZone tomorrow to see if they have
> a
> smaller tool.
>
> Has anyone been able to do this themselves? If I can get the right tools
> or
> the right approach, this will work great! I'm hoping to leave town next
> week Thursday and need to get the tie rods replaced.
>
> BTW, there is no clearance to get a box wrench up in there... Nor would
> there be enough room to get it torqued down properly.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Chris Reck
> Bloomington, IL
>
> '99 Dakota Sport + CC 4x4 V6 (Deep Amethyst)
> Shaved and polished V8 TB, Autolite 3923, 195 Thermostat, 7.5mm Bosch plug
> wires,
> Custom K&N 6x9 air intake, Rancho RSX shocks, Pioneer full audio system,
> BF Goodrich 32x11.5r15 T/A KO tires
>
>
>
> "Barry Oliver" <barrysuperhawk@insightbb.com> wrote in message
> news:44E2FD9D.3090309@insightbb.com...
>>
>> Chris Reck wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>> I have a 99 4x4 and was wondering how hard it would be for someone to
>>> replace all the tie rod ends on the front. I have a Right front inner
>>> tie rod going, and since I'll need to get an alignment, I figured that I
>>> would save ~$300 labor and do it myself.
>>>
>>> I have done shocks, brakes, and the upper ball joints before... but this
>>> one is new. Any special tools or problems that I would run into? Any
>>> tricks regarding the placement nuts so that the alignment is close to
>>> what it was before I would start?
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>> Chris Reck
>>> Bloomington, IL
>>>
>>> '99 Dakota Sport + CC 4x4 V6 (Deep Amethyst)
>>> Shaved and polished V8 TB, Autolite 3923, 195 Thermostat, 7.5mm Bosch
>>> plug wires,
>>> Custom K&N 6x9 air intake, Rancho RSX shocks, Pioneer full audio system,
>>> BF Goodrich 32x11.5r15 T/A KO tires
>>
>>
>> Chris, if you would like to come down and make use of the Air tools, just
>> let me know. I haven't done Tie rods on my '99 4x4, but I have on my
>> GF's
>> car. With a level and a straight board you can get pretty darn close to
>> straight alignment - when I took her car in to align it after I was done
>> they said it was 100% perfect - a Miracle if I ever saw one!
>>
>
>
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