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My driver side tie rod ends are flopping all over the place due to hitting a berm while turning left at low speed in a dark place with black snow covering the berm while the passenger side ones were replaced 10,000 miles ago. I have read the previous posts on this subject yet want to make sure of a couple things.
I have loosened the castle nut and broken the outer stud free of the mounting ring and note that the jam nut is 7/8" diameter and the flat on the rod to steady the assembly while loosening is 3/4".
Also, I have removed the metal cage to expose the inner tie rod end and have loosed the inner band and the outer clip on the accordion boot and slid the boot toward the outside to expose the inner tie rod end.
I note that the diameter of the flat on the inner tie rod end is 1 3/8" (less 1/32") or 34 mm. I don't hold out much hope being able to purchase a crowfoot of this size as it will probably be a special order and way expensive. So I will turn the steering out to expose as much of the inner tie rod end as possible and see what I can fit on there.
I probed what I think is the hole for the allen set screw with a 3/32" (2.5 mm) allen wrench and maybe it is too big or there IS no allen screw; not sure and can't see inside so I will wait picking up the inner tie rod end tomorrow and see what is being used on the replacement.
Maybe it would be easier to remove the inner tie rod end first and break the jam nut on the bench in a vise. If I don't do this but rather remove it while it is fixed to the steering knuckle:
Which way do I turn the jam nut to get it to "unjam"---move towards the interior? Since I am facing towards the passenger side, this would be a clockwise turn, correct? I should have the outer tie rod end installed in the knuckle with the castle nut secured to do this, correct? All I have to do it move it a turn or two, correct? Then I remove the outer tie rod end from the knuckle and remove it from the rod turning the flat provided and holding it with the smaller flat (1/2") down the rod after the threaded part---and count the turns to preserve a rough toe alignment, correct? I imagine that I will be turning it counter clockwise when facing the interior.
Tie rod end to steering arm---25 foot/pounds
Tie rod jam nuts---50 foot/pounds
I have a small JPEG photo and don't know how to post it using the new format.
I have loosened the castle nut and broken the outer stud free of the mounting ring and note that the jam nut is 7/8" diameter and the flat on the rod to steady the assembly while loosening is 3/4".
Also, I have removed the metal cage to expose the inner tie rod end and have loosed the inner band and the outer clip on the accordion boot and slid the boot toward the outside to expose the inner tie rod end.
I note that the diameter of the flat on the inner tie rod end is 1 3/8" (less 1/32") or 34 mm. I don't hold out much hope being able to purchase a crowfoot of this size as it will probably be a special order and way expensive. So I will turn the steering out to expose as much of the inner tie rod end as possible and see what I can fit on there.
I probed what I think is the hole for the allen set screw with a 3/32" (2.5 mm) allen wrench and maybe it is too big or there IS no allen screw; not sure and can't see inside so I will wait picking up the inner tie rod end tomorrow and see what is being used on the replacement.
Maybe it would be easier to remove the inner tie rod end first and break the jam nut on the bench in a vise. If I don't do this but rather remove it while it is fixed to the steering knuckle:
Which way do I turn the jam nut to get it to "unjam"---move towards the interior? Since I am facing towards the passenger side, this would be a clockwise turn, correct? I should have the outer tie rod end installed in the knuckle with the castle nut secured to do this, correct? All I have to do it move it a turn or two, correct? Then I remove the outer tie rod end from the knuckle and remove it from the rod turning the flat provided and holding it with the smaller flat (1/2") down the rod after the threaded part---and count the turns to preserve a rough toe alignment, correct? I imagine that I will be turning it counter clockwise when facing the interior.
Tie rod end to steering arm---25 foot/pounds
Tie rod jam nuts---50 foot/pounds
I have a small JPEG photo and don't know how to post it using the new format.