How To: Install Inner Tie Rods (Pic Heavy)

[VIPER-GT]

Well I was in need of some new inner tie rods and some tie rod ends (outer tie rods) so when I was changing them out I figured I’d take some pictures to help anyone else out with this.As with most of these How-To’s I take no responsibility for any damage that could happen to you or your car in following this guide.

First thing you’ll want to do is read the awesome how to by TheWraith: Outer Tie Rods Swap-Out. This is super handy and you’ll need to refer to it as well.


I’m replacing the stock parts with MOOG ones, which I hear are superior and should hold up better than the originals on our cars.


So the car is all ready to work on…


Start by loosening the lug nuts a bit…


Then jack the car up and make sure that you support it with jack stands and block off
the back wheels (safety first!)


Once the car is safely in the air, remove the wheel take a look in behind your brakes you’ll see your tie rod ends…


And the inner tie rods…


You’ll want to remove the top nut on the outer…


If you live anywhere where you get snow (or where rust is a problem) WD-40 (or similar) will be your best friend on this.


After you remove the nut try to pry the rod down—but odds are you’ll have to wail on it with a hammer to get it out…


And it’s separated!


Continued...

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[VIPER-GT]

Continued from above...

Now you’ll want to move the rubber boot around the inner joint, be careful not to damage it because you’ll have to reuse it…


You’ll have to get this clamp off/open—I used a flat head screwdriver.


Once the clamp is off slide the boot down.


Next you’ll want to work on the lower clamp with some pliers, the boot is held on the rod because of a grove so to get it out slide it down with a twisting motion…


Now the inner tie rod joint is exposed, you’ll want to wipe that grease off because it makes a mess when you try the next steps (slippery tools suck).

Sorry no picture for this step, but you’ll see that the rod has a hex end that you can get a wrench on. I suggest you make sure that you use the new inner tie rod to see if you have a big enough wrench before you start. That yellow washer you can see in the above picture will get in your way but you can slide it back with a little persuasion being careful not to break it (and just remember to slide it back when you are done).

So once that is done you’ll have the old unit out like so... take some measurements so you can get the outer tie rod close on the new set up. Take the assembly apart.


Quick comparison of the old components (left) and the new ones (right)


Next put the boot on the new inner tie rod along with the lock nut and reinstall it on the car...


once screwed in tightly you’ll want to add your outer tie rods as per TheWraith’s write up.


Remember those clamps on the boot that you have to pry off (on the left)? I suggest tossing them and replacing them with the screw type clamps (on the right).


The passenger side is the same process as above; you’ll for sure need to get an alignment once you are done. I hope this helps out the CM family!

[1Sick Mag]

Wow, great write-up!

[onelook]

Great write up! I've been wondering! Thanks!!

[Prospector]

Thanks, Viper-GT... great post

[VIPER-GT]

Thanks guys!

[02proxdude]

This may be in my near future so thanks for the write up, this should come in handy. If you don't mind me asking what did the inner and outer ends plus rods set you back and where did you order them from? I realize that alignment is still in order after but did it remove the shake at speed for you with the new parts?

[B00MER]

Mods this defiantly should go in the Tech articles forum if you ask me...

[VIPER-GT]

This may be in my near future so thanks for the write up, this should come in handy. If you don't mind me asking what did the inner and outer ends plus rods set you back and where did you order them from? I realize that alignment is still in order after but did it remove the shake at speed for you with the new parts?

I got them from Rockauto.com... the Outer tie rods were $41.79 each and the Inner tie rods were $33.79 each... the standard shipping was crazy fast too (and I'm in Canada).

Well before when I'd hit a bump in the road I'd hear a 'clunk' out of the one side of my car, and over bumps I could feel a side-to-side shimmy in the steering wheel, both of which are gone now. It doesn't shake quite as much but then the roads around here are pretty crummy so it is hard to tell.

[B00MER]

Sorry I'm an idiot and didn't read your entire thread before posting gonzos thread... nice write up though, added to my bookmarks!