Hello everyone. First time poster, long time lurker. I have an 02 with approximately 66k miles and brought it to a local guy to have the o2 sensor replaced, after deciding that the nuts were a little to rusted for my expertise. I figured I would have him do an alignment while it was there because I was getting a vibration at about 65mph. I already rotated the tires but to no avail. I got a call from the shop yesterday telling me that the tie rods were frozen, and they wanted to keep the truck overnight so they could really go at it today to try and free them so they could do the alignment. Got another call today, and they told me that they couldn't free them and that I needed a whole new rack. Unfortunately, I don't know enough about this to confidently say no, but can anyone tell me if this sounds right?

I have never had a bolt I couldnt get off. I know what he is talking about. The nut on the outer tie rods can be a PITA to get off but I still was able to always get them off. But again the outer tie rods are connected too inner tie rods so if he cant get them off he can try and remove the boots and then the inner rods so you dont have too do the entire rack. Sounds like he may have damaged them trying to get them off and its why he is saying you need a new rack.

I used a torch to get mine loose and they came right off. I couldn't get them to budge without it though.

Yeah, he said he torched them till they were glowing red, but still no budge.

Ummm...the inner tie rods will come off before needing a new rack.

Look at this Inner Tie Rod Removal and Installation

PB plast it over night, then in morning and right before trying to get them off, torch them and then use a break bar the size of the truck and it will budge!

Try turning the lock nuts the opposite direction
and use a pipe wrench and long pipe.

If they still can't come off,get replacement outer tie rods. Once the (original outer tie rods') ballpoint ends are popped off the knuckles,heat the crap out of that end then have someone hold the other end of the tie rod with a pipe wrench or channel locks,then start turning the heated end,they should come off.

I ran into this a little over a year ago when I went to replace my lower ball joints. To get the LBJs off I ended up destroying the outer tie rods, then to get the outer tie rods off I couldn't get the inner tie rod nuts loose so I had to cut them and buy inners. Then, I just used a big ass crescent wrench (my tie rod tool didn't have the right size) to get the inners off. I didn't have to buy a whole new rack but did buy inner and outer tie rods and lower ball joints for both sides. Unless your rack is messed up you shouldn't need a new one for tie rods even if they have to cut them off.

So is the shop still saying you need a new rack because the outer tierods are froze up?

Yeah, I talked to him after reading a few of your ideas, and he told me that 3 of the inner tie rods were completely shot and were also frozen.

"3" of the inner tie rods? Of that's really what he said then I'd go to a new shop. There are only 2 inner tie rods.

My mistake, he didn't say inner, he did just say three of the four were frozen and shot. I am going to go over there first thing in the morning and see if they can't try and cut them off as pattycakes suggested. I just can't see the point in replacing the whole rack if the rack itself is ok and there is a less expensive fix. All of this because of what I thought would be a simple alignment.

I find it hard to believe the inner tie rod wont come off unless the boot was torn off exposing the Inner tierod to road salts and what not.