How do you replace a inner tie rod on Chevy s-10 not 4x4?

Answer 1

If your car has a rack and pinion (no steering box): Remove wheel and safely support with jack stand Disconnect outer tie rod (if you don't know how see instructions below) Remove outer tie rod- count how many times you turn it (and hold inner tie rod with wrench because it can turn as you unscrew outer tie rod); this will help you get the alignment close to perfect later when you install the new part. Turn steering wheel so rack pushes tie rod out so it is easier to access There is a rubber boot that protects tie rod from dirt and water, you can remove the first clamp you see with pliers and there is another metal clamp securing the rubber tie rod protector to the rack. This one is not re-usable and you can remove it by placing the tip of a flat screwdriver on it and hitting screw driver with hammer until it breaks off. use a zip tie when reinstalling this rubber boot to secure to rack slide inner tie rod tool over inner tie rod and tighten/secure it to end of tie rod (there will be a hex shape to allow you to grab the end of tie rod where it screws to rack (if there's no hex it will be round with 2 sides that are flat) If you do not have inner tie rod tool there is a chance you can use a large open end wrench or pipe wrench to loosen inner tie rod (LEFTY LOOSY). You may not be able to get away with not having the inner tie rod tool on all cars but it's possible on some. Remove inner tie rod It will not hurt to put anti-seize on tie rod threads to make it easier for future repairs and alignments Check that parts store gave you correct part Install new inner tie rod- do not overtighten, it takes alot more force to remove the old one because it has been there for about a decade and you do not want to damage the rack. Install rubber boot (inner tie rod protector) Put outter tie rod on (obviously screw it as many times as you unscrewed it) If you forgot if the outer tie rod stud faces up or down you have other side to look at and dont overtighten castle nut & putting a new cotter pin will also be good (you could take old cotter pin to parts store to match up to a new one) Put wheel on and you should get an alignment, and your done, now you can brag to your friends that you fixed your car and have a cold one! If you don't know how to remove outer tie rod her's how: Remove cotter pin (cotter pin is the thing that prevents the nut with the slots from unscrewing), loosen castle nut <--nut with the slots If castle nut does not come off because stud turns you need to pry outter tie rod into steering knuckle (if it doesn't work pry away from steering knuckle) and loosen nut at same time. You can spray it with pb blaster (like wd-40 but better) before you even start removing it but if your car is fairly new don't bother. Take sledge hammer (not the enourmous one used for breaking cement floors) hammer about a foot long with heavy tip (not the hammer for hammering nails) Repeatedly strike the steering knuckle (where tie rod goes into) and every few strikes check if tie rod came loose (safety glasses wouldn't hurt... or any glasses while striking with hammer) Hit hard too, you won't damage anything (unless you miss) by striking very hard You are to strike only steering knucke (left and right motion, not up and down). DO NOT strike the stud or the tie rod, it looks like the right thing to do but it wont work and you will damage the tie rod. (Also dont think your a genious (unless you are) and screw castle nut on a few turns thinking it will protect threads and strike tie rod to remove like that because the threads will still become damaged) Also before you remove tie rod from steering knuckle you can loosen the nut at end of outer tie rod (it's on the inner tie rod's threads); it's lefty loosy and you are lookin at it backwards so your open end wrench (I didn't say vice grips) should be moving clockwise from your point of view. another tip: the inner tie rod may (key word: may) have a hex shaped portion on it, you can put open end wrench on it to make it easier when removing and installing outter tie rod if not then you can use vice grips. make sure you COUNT HOW MANY TIMES YOU UNSCREW OUTTER TIE ROD AND HOLD INNER TIE ROD WHILE UNSCREWING