I think I need to get an crowfoot open-ended wrench (with a 1/2" drive
socket and 30" of extensions to remove it. I can use the socket below
(provided I can get a smaller one) to remove the existing one, but I can't
use it on the new one, even though it is the correct size. I'll end up
destroying the boot in the process.
Now I'm trying to avoid paing $100 for a set of crowfoot wrenches. :-)
Thanks!
Chris Reck
P.S. For what it's worth, I had more trouble getting the truck on jack
stands and loosening the lug nuts than I had to separate the outer tie rod.
""Rick Barnes"" <rascal@scrtc.com> wrote in message
news:000001c6c721$762ff360$6500a8c0@highlander...
>
> I dunno Chris, I have to read up on that one a bit. I just did my hubs
> and
> upper and lower ball joints, but you have me thinking about tie rods now
> too.
>
> Rascal
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
> [mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net] On Behalf Of Chris Reck
> Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2006 8:34 PM
> To: dakota-truck-moderator@bent.twistedbits.net
> Subject: Re: DML: Question regarding Tie Rods
>
>
> 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/sagina
> w_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!
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Sep 01 2006 - 10:07:45 EDT