beginner needs help - tie rod end '91 100

[Robert M]

   "Adjuster nut" is really a jam nut.  Spray that whole area off with brake 
cleaner (wear safety glasses :) ) and figure out which way to turn the nut 
so that it moves inward.

    Use two wrenches, and stabilize the tie rod end with one while you're 
backing off the jam nut.  Best to use a high-quality wrench here along with 
lots and lots of penetrant.  Heat may also be required.

   Once the jam nut is freed and displaced inward, use a small punch to pop 
the fixing sleeve inward.

   Again using two wrenches (one on the tie rod itself; it'll have flats on 
it somewhere) unscrew the tie rod end going the other direction.   Again, 
lots of penetrant and perhaps heat.

   Some random notes:
   1)  If you measure the distance from some convenient spot on the tie rod 
(make a mark?) to the center of the tie rod end post you can get your 
alignment back pretty close to where it was.

    2)  I've used a vice grip (the type with the nut jaw) successfully to 
immobilize the tie rod when loosening the threaded bits.

    3) Penetrant:  PB Fabulous Blaster is my fave.

Good luck, that job can be a bitch.

Robert



>From: "ben ballard" <bmacb at adelphia.net>
>To: <quattro at audifans.com>
>Subject: beginner needs help - tie rod end '91 100
>Date: Thu, 5 May 2005 11:17:04 -0400
>
>Apologies in advance for such a simple question as well as any simple 
>follow ups. The patient is a 91 100 Quattro which beginner amateur mechanic 
>(me) is trying to change a right front tie rod end I have managed to free 
>the tie rod end from the wheel side ( borrowed a puller) but am having 
>trouble on the other side (the tie rod side). The tie rod end seems to 
>screw on to the end of the tie rod. There is also an adjusting nut on the 
>tie rod. In between the adjusting nut and the tie rod end seems to a sleeve 
>( same size as adjusting nut but smoth sided) that the tapered end of the 
>tie rod fit into. The question is what do I need to do in order to unscrew 
>the tie rod end ? Do I need turn the adjusting nut? (clockwise or 
>counterclockwise?) Or should I be able to unscrew the tie rid end directly? 
>Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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