Inner Tie Rod Removal and Installation

[kman55]

Awesome write up! This could come in handy, very detailed. Great job!

 

[A.Wilson013]

Where are you guys getting these parts? Sounds like NAPA? How much do they run?

I am doing my LBJs and Inner/Outer Tie Rods

 

[CanukRunner]

Nice write up!

I need to do mine too.

Question, why do you need to bend the washer?

Can you use another type of clamp if you dont have that clamp tool thingy?

Like those pipe clamps that you screw closed??

How many foot pounds to secure enverything?

 

[spongerx]

Where are you guys getting these parts? Sounds like NAPA? How much do they run?

I am doing my LBJs and Inner/Outer Tie Rods

We have Napa, O'reilly, Car Quest, and Toyota in town. I usually call them all and see what kind of prices they offer. If the Toyota parts are a little more expensive I go with them but often they are way more expensive. Napa was the cheapest in my area and the quality looked really good so I went with them. I don't remember how much the parts where. Give them a ring and ask for a quote.

 

[spongerx]

Nice write up!

I need to do mine too.

Question, why do you need to bend the washer?

Can you use another type of clamp if you dont have that clamp tool thingy?

Like those pipe clamps that you screw closed??

How many foot pounds to secure enverything?

My understanding is that bending the washer limits movement. You are sort of locking the parts together so they don't turn. You can use what ever clamp you like as long as the boot doesn't rub against any metal bits sticking out (like the screw head.... Sometimes this happens with "those pipe clamps that you screw closed" but more than likely you'll be fine). Torque specs are included in the write up.

 

[Blanco]

Great write up bro.

This needs to be sticky'd in the Tutorial Reference area.

x2

This is a great tutorial - way easier than I thought.

I just had mine done but if I'd seen this thread first, would have totally done it myself. I had no idea mine was crapped out - my Runner was pulling left constantly and after getting a near perfect score in the alignment shop, started going through the checklist...tire pressure/wear, brakes etc, etc...finally ended up pulling on the inner tie rod end and that was the culprit the whole time! Drives straight as an arrow now.

 

[offthebeatenpath]

Jeepers, your old TRE's look like new compared to mine. They must have all 215k on them. First pic- doesn't look so bad does it? Just a little rust from a torn bood. Second pic- same TRE. Look at all that play! It's almost 1/8" in the socket! I could move the wheel over 1". (I should note- I just bought the truck- I haven't driven it with the steering in this condition)

Just FYI on parts-If you're putting together stuff ahead of time, check out RockAuto Auto Parts They are WAY cheaper than NAPA/O'Reily's/Autozone.

If you want to stick with Toyota parts, look at ToyotaPartSales.com It's Toyota of Dallas, TX. They have an online store. The cool thing about that is this- my local Toyota dealer will match Dallas's prices. All I do is print off the page and bring it with me, and I don't have to pay shipping

 

[CodyX36]

Good write up! Cool you're from Kalispell too, I went there once a few years ago, when I go over to Libby every year in the summer.

 

[offthebeatenpath]

Good write up! Cool you're from Kalispell too, I went there once a few years ago, when I go over to Libby every year in the summer.

That's funny- I'm down in Bozeman. Not too many people around these parts. Small world.

 

[CodyX36]

Nice, I've been going over there every summer for the past 9 years or so, I look forward to it every year. Love all the forest service roads that are over there right where we stay.

 

[CanukRunner]

Thanks for the write up.. im definitely doing this!!!!!

 

[Duhockey]

I got all the stuff,

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Togx-lXAn2KmqcFRTwSgwtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vghv65SeJ-A/TzrxL73J_-I/AAAAAAAAEMU/x7XluCSlNRM/s800/2012-02-14%252016.38.33.jpg" height="600" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/106779729868072622389/4runnerBuild?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">4runner Build</a></td></tr></table>

bought some big wrenches, only problem is that the connector where the outer tie rod meets the inner one is pretty frozen up. May need some heat.

The Taco LBJ seem to be about the same as the 4runner ones, but the Taco OTR are definitely beefier.

 

[Nelsonmd]

I don't see this specifically addressed, but when removing the inner TRE, is it ok to just torque on the TRE and let the stress go into the steering rack, or do I need to counter torque the rack with another wrench?

I don't see another wrench in the write-up, but I think Stick Figure gave the wrench size for counter torquing using the flats on the rack.

Doing this right now....

 

[tbst]

Don't know that it is was the manufacturer specified, but that is what I did. However, as of recent I wouldn't recommend following in my footsteps.

 

[Jungoes]

*added to reputation*
Thanks for taking the time and effort to take the pictures at each step, it slows down the whole process when getting these repairs done, but your efforts are surely appreciated.
Cheers

 

[rebelbowtie]

I don't see this specifically addressed, but when removing the inner TRE, is it ok to just torque on the TRE and let the stress go into the steering rack, or do I need to counter torque the rack with another wrench?

I don't see another wrench in the write-up, but I think Stick Figure gave the wrench size for counter torquing using the flats on the rack.

Doing this right now....

I would do it just in case, I busted an idler arm bushing once from torquing an inner tie rod.

 

[Nelsonmd]

Well, I got it sorted. I didn't end up using another wrench to counter torque the rack, but it also didn't really take that much force to break it loose. One good little push and it broke. I feel fine about the amount of force it put into the rack.

 

[fenrisx]

... was about to order inner TREs and lower ball joints to bring to my mechanic for replacement... now I think I'll just order inner/outer TRE and lower ball joins + necessary tools and do it myself.

thanks for posting this & a +1 for the Google Custom Search actually working

 

[hrt4me]

thanks for the handy reference, I'll get the tools and do my own as well

 

[Phyler]

Where did you get the new clamp for the boot and is that a special tool to put it on? All of the parts dealers seem to just sell a complete boot kit but they look like the just come with zip ties.

Adam