Inner Tie Rod End Replacement
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 92
Likes: 21
Inner Tie Rod End Replacement
Help! I've got a '99 4x4 Expy XLT. I started to replace the inner tie rod ends (dust boots are split apart) and realized that a standard small tie rod end puller would not fit - Even tried a shorter screw in the puller and tried turning the wheels in and out.
Is there some trick I am missing here or is the a special tool that is required? Thanks in advance for any help.
Robert
Is there some trick I am missing here or is the a special tool that is required? Thanks in advance for any help.
Robert
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 364
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From: Redding, CA
Inner Tie Rod End Replacement
Get a floor jack and lift the whole assembly. There's too much pressure on the bolt when it's hanging. Once you have it up, don't put too much pressure on the puller because you can damage the end of the bolt where the coder (sp?) pin inserts.
Dust boots on the tie rod? Do you mean the half shaft? If that's the case and you plan on rebuildin it... don't waste your time. Just order a refirb'd half shaft from napa or the like. It'll cost an up front $200 but you'll get $100 or more back when you bring in the old shaft/core. Trust me on this.
Mike
Dust boots on the tie rod? Do you mean the half shaft? If that's the case and you plan on rebuildin it... don't waste your time. Just order a refirb'd half shaft from napa or the like. It'll cost an up front $200 but you'll get $100 or more back when you bring in the old shaft/core. Trust me on this.
Mike
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 92
Likes: 21
Inner Tie Rod End Replacement
Thanks Mike I'll try your suggestion.
By the way, I may have used the wron term when I said "dust boot" - I was referring to the rubber around the end of the tie rod that I should have called a "ball stud boot"
Robert
By the way, I may have used the wron term when I said "dust boot" - I was referring to the rubber around the end of the tie rod that I should have called a "ball stud boot"
Robert
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 92
Likes: 21
Inner Tie Rod End Replacement
I thought I would post my solution as a follow-up for anyone that may run into this problem in the future.
I removed the stabilizer bar bushing bracket that made it possible for me to use a standard small puller with a shorter screw to separate the inner tie-rod end from the center link. It was still a tight fit but it worked. In order to re-install the stabilizer bar bushing bracket I had to jack up the assembly with a floor jack under the lower control arm as previously suggested by Mike.
Robert
I removed the stabilizer bar bushing bracket that made it possible for me to use a standard small puller with a shorter screw to separate the inner tie-rod end from the center link. It was still a tight fit but it worked. In order to re-install the stabilizer bar bushing bracket I had to jack up the assembly with a floor jack under the lower control arm as previously suggested by Mike.
Robert
