Tie Rod Problems-8880Q--need answers--please

[Huw Powell]

bludodger at att.net wrote:
>
> Huw
>
> Thanks for being so brave in responding...
>
> >From what I've read in the archives and the Bentley
> (which hasn't been all that helpful), won't I need a
> puller to seperate the tie rod from the strut? Or do I
> even need to attempt that? What about the other end
> bolted to the rack? Is that easily accessible? I have
> not had a chance to get "in there" to see the whole
> picture so please bear with me.

Hehe... I was so stuck on Dave Hord's *rear* tie rod questions I didn't
read carefully... you are also talking about the fronts.

With fronts you can often/usually buy just the tie rod ends, that is the
fix for wrecked boots/loose ball joints at the end.  If the adjusters
won't undo or loosen, however, you gotta replace the whole tie rod.

you remove the strut end however you can - pickle fork, hammer, heat,
magic spells.

the rack end is a bit tricky, but mechanically simple.  There is a
bracket that must be pretty much removed from the end of the rack, and
then the two inner tie rod ends can be unbolted from the bracket.  I bit
of a tight squeeze, but do-able.

When you have installed the new ones, your alignment will be awful and
you will need to go straight to the shop to get it done.   A decent tech
should also be able to quote you pretty accurately on the cost of doing
the tie rods for you.  Ask them if they want you to pick up all the new
locknuts or if they have them "in stock" - they probably do, this will
remind them to replace them all.

--
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/

http://www.humanthoughts.org/