Outer Tie Rods Swap-Out

[TheWraithe]

So, for the past month, I've been hearing a "knocking" everytime my car hit a bump in the road or while rolling over a speed-bump. It has gotten worse to the point where just driving, I would hear, and feel it. My steering was sloppy and my "stealership" wanted $430+ to change out the tie rods! No thanks, but good thing MoparPartsAmerica exists, cuz I ordered some new tie rods ($99 total shipped) and installed them myself (FREE)! Turned out great and now the steering is tight and no more knocking.

The Happy Italian-PlaceMat Guy seems happier than usual ..... probably because of the new "Mo-parts."


Ready for the install!


One problem with sittin' low is .....


A normal jack won't fit underneath the rocker panels!



So I gotta take the wheels off .....

..... slide it under .....

..... and re-install the wheels after I get it past the obstacle and underneath the jackpad!

[TheWraithe]

Now, just gotta jack it up and carry on with the task at hand!





Always use a jackstand ..... SAFETY FIRST, Folks!


Here's the right side outer tie rod. I put a piece of green tape just to make sure the jam-nut was in the same place during installation of the new one, but it didn't even matter, cuz the jam-nut and shaft stayed in the same position with each other anyway.


Just remove the nut up top .....


It won't slip out, but it's a good idea to re-install the nut in case the tie rod slips and then loosen the jam-nut about 1/4 turn (the shaft will turn with it).



..... I put another jackstand underneath the lower control arm to keep the suspension from moving down when prying down on the tie rod .....

..... you can use a separator if you've got one, but I don't, so I just used a pickle-fork. Tried to get it separated, but it wouldn't budge.

[TheWraithe]

So I used a hammer and knocked that thing out!




New parts!



Old one and new one (obviously)


Just install the new outer tie rod in place of the old one, tighten it up, and it should stop where the old one was, right up against the jam-nut.


Get her up in the hole .....

..... install the nut up top and tighten it down really well .....


..... and tighten down the jam-nut up against the outer tie rod.

Remember to use a back-up wrench!

[TheWraithe]

and you're done, Son!!



Just gotta remove the jackstand, re-install the wheel/tire, set her back down, and get that jack out from underneath in reverse order from before.



I left the wheels off the jack to do the other side.


Just repeat the above steps for the left side and it's all good-to-go!





Hope that wasn't too many pictures for y'all! I'll be off to get an alignment today, after work. It drives so smooth now, but better safe than sorry.

Also, I got another package yesterday and didn't even know it! The wife didn't tell me until 9pm, three hours after the office at the apartments closed! WTF! I'll be goin’ to pick up that package right after I get off work today.

Any guesses as to what it could possibly be??????????????

[steve]

Nice write up. I am moving to tech article section.

[Greg095]

Beans to you. Nice write up.

[TheWraithe]

Originally Posted by steve

Nice write up. I am moving to tech article section.

Oh. My bad. Didn't even think to post it up there.

Originally Posted by Greg095

Beans to you. Nice write up.

Thank you, thank you.

[MAGNUMSE]

Great write up and awesome pics. The suspence on the other package is killing me though!!! what is it .......... tell me please!!!!

[TheWraithe]

alright, I'll give ya a hint .....

..... it .....

..... goes on the Magnum.

[Greg095]

Originally Posted by TheWraithe

alright, I'll give ya a hint .....

..... it .....

..... goes on the Magnum.

So an I love Ford bumper sticker is out of the question?