changing outer tie rod

[Kim K Kaiser]

per the shop couple weeks ago and a loose steering and a steering gear replacement, it was suggested the left outer tie rod be replaced,, 

I dug not the manual, and can seem to find the directions on that, but did go to you tube and saw about 4 different iterations, and while it seemed simple,, i noticed the connection point is not the same,  on the videos, they just loosen a nut, you mark the spot and then spin out the tie rod end.. on outs, it has two clamp looking items..

is the process the  same,undo those two clamps, or one of them, make the distance or count the rotations out, then spin back in the new one at the same rotations..?

I'm aware it will have to be re aligned, but want to make sure the process is same,, just a different measuring and connection mechanism.??

sincerely

[David Thomas]

Kim, you'll only loosen  the outer clamp next to the outer tie rod joint. Leave the inner clamp tight on the inner tie rod. Remove the outer tie rod pivot from the knuckle. Measure the outer tie rod from the edge of the adjuster sleeve to the center of the pivot stud big end. Remove the old tie rod end from the adjuster sleeve. Install the new tie rod end  to the same measurement as the old one was. Put the pivot stud in the steering knuckle torqued to spec. Then tighten the adjuster sleeve clamp. You'll need to get an alignment after you finish your install.  HTH

[Kim K Kaiser]

I got that thing off,  had to get that tuning fork piece to separaye it.  

Getting back on was no prob.  I deceded to order the other side as well as i am in get stuff done mode and will take in for realignment so both sides will hv new parts.  Made sense to me.

I am really surprised at how just changing the one side improved my steering,   i had about a 3 to 4 inch looseness on each side of the steering wheel.  It was enoigh for me to not like driving at night because the over steer and compensation to get back made me look like inwas drinking.  

Anyway, seems to have worked, otherside replacement may get it completely tuned in with alignment.

Thanks again

[Kim K Kaiser]

Thanks, that gave me the clarificaion i needed on the connections