How do you replace driver side inner tie rod on a 2000 caravan?

Answer 1

You did not say what year caravan you have but most inner tie rod ends are replaced generally the same way. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel but do not remove. Support the vehicle on jack stands. Remove the wheel. Loosen the jamb nut between the inner and outter tie rod so that the inner tie rod can be turned. Remove the cotter pin from the outer tir rod. If you are going to replace the outer tie rod you can remove the nut and hammer the outer tie rod out of the knuckle. If you are NOT replacing the outer tie rod back the nut off until almost flush with the end of the threads and carefully hit the stud of the outer tie rod being careful not to damage the threads or you can hit the knuckle a few times to shock the stud of the outer tie rod free. Of course if you have a pickle fork you can use that. Just be careful to not rip the rubber boot. Next as you unthread the outer tie rod from the inner, count the rotations until it is off the inner tie rod. This will help get you close when you reassemble. Remember how many turns it took! Remove the jamb nut from the inner tie rod. Now remove the dust boot that protects the inner tie rod from the rack and pinion unit. Usually it is held on by a clamp with a screw like a hose clamp or a crimp type clamp like on the CV boot. Look and feel all the way around the inner tie rod where it connects to the rack for a small locking pin (sometimes looks like a small rivet) that keeps the tie rod from working loose. Take a cut off wheel or if you are good and can grab it with pliers pull it out or grind it ALL the way out. I would use a cut off wheel and cut a nice slot in the tie rod right where the pin was. Just don't go crazy and go and cut the rack! Just get the pin out or you can and will mess up the threads on the rack! Use a inner tie rod removal socket or if there is room to work you can use a big vice grip or a pipe wrench to remove the inner tie rod now. Follow directions with new tie rod to install using a new locking pin or some come with thread locker. Hope this answered your question.