Tie Rod Ends - Easy?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Sayreville New Jersey
Tie Rod Ends - Easy?
For those who have done this: Are tie rod ends easy to replace? What's the level of difficulty for a casual backyard mechanic? Any special tools required? Tips?
Thanx, -Pete.
Thanx, -Pete.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,416
Likes: 1
From: NC,USA
They can be a pain in the butt...
You need a pickle fork, or an air chisel with a fork adapter.
Get it out of the car, and count the threads when you turn each one out. (Tie rods are also the toe adjustment for the front end!)
Put em back in, hopefully really close to the old setups length... and decide if you need an alignment or not. You really should... but if its not zig-zagging, and the tires dont wear out in 50 miles... its probably "ok."
Edit: Tie rods arent a spot you want to cheap out. Moog and TRW and GM parts are what you want.
You probably also want to look at your idler arm/ball joints if your tie rods need replacement.
You need a pickle fork, or an air chisel with a fork adapter.
Get it out of the car, and count the threads when you turn each one out. (Tie rods are also the toe adjustment for the front end!)
Put em back in, hopefully really close to the old setups length... and decide if you need an alignment or not. You really should... but if its not zig-zagging, and the tires dont wear out in 50 miles... its probably "ok."
Edit: Tie rods arent a spot you want to cheap out. Moog and TRW and GM parts are what you want.
You probably also want to look at your idler arm/ball joints if your tie rods need replacement.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,575
Likes: 1
From: Tuttle OK
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I just got done with this project...
to me, tie rod ends are easy.. It's the rest of the stuff that needs done when tie rods need it, like ball joints, all the A frame bushings, etc..
You can do all of it in your garage.. e-mail lars and have him send you a paper. Also, I used a spring compressor to reassemble even though I don't have a big block. They are definitely the biggest pain in the **** right after the A frame bushings...
to me, tie rod ends are easy.. It's the rest of the stuff that needs done when tie rods need it, like ball joints, all the A frame bushings, etc..
You can do all of it in your garage.. e-mail lars and have him send you a paper. Also, I used a spring compressor to reassemble even though I don't have a big block. They are definitely the biggest pain in the **** right after the A frame bushings...
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 4
From: New Baden Illinois
Tie rod ends aren't too bad. One of the tricks that you can do in addition to counting the number of threads and turns is that you can get a stick of chalk (I think they make a while, oil-based chalk) and mark the threads before you begin removing the tie rod end.
Also, make sure you have it aligned afterwards. There's nothing worse that happing to buy new tires because the toe was out.
Also, make sure you have it aligned afterwards. There's nothing worse that happing to buy new tires because the toe was out.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,795
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by Avette4me
i just measured from grease zirk to grease zirk...
i was just going to say this, counting the threads can stillput you out on the front end especially if the joint is really sloppy.
so i always take a measurement.
on another note, has anyone here used those alignment plates they sell?
i have heard they are really good for setting the toe.
