Thread: Inner tie rod problem

Got under my gp and was checking my suspension parts to make shure im ready for Kansas city.I found that my passenger side tire moves side to side. The actual ball joint isnt bad on the tie rod, the rod that goes into the rack is moving.The other side does not do this.Not shure if inner tie rod is the correct term, i just dont know how its connected to the rack under that boot. Any ideas of what may be the prob and what part to get would be greatly appriciated.

thanx

Well, lets see a pic. It might be the sway bar from what I'm reading in your description, they are known to crack right there. take a pic and post if possible.

Do swaybars have balljoints hippo? Lol

Can anyone tell me what specific part could be worn?Could it be the actual rack or a replaceble part.

Everythings replaceable (even you )


GETA PICTAR. A swaybar connects right there! JUST a place to look sheesh!

If the swaybar on your car runs into your rack and pinion then you have issues. PALEEZZ read the first post closer hippo.

I thnik i skimmed one sentence. Can't even remember at this point.

Bump...

Get a picture, and someone will answer i promise

Could very possibly be the inner tie rod. Not too hard to replace, but you will need a special tool to remove it which you can rent at most part stores. The tool looks like a giant deep well socket about the size of a 3 cell Maglite.

The basics are...

Remove outer tie rod end and jam nut.

Cut off the crimped metal band holding the boot over rack and remove spring clamp over the small end of the boot, and then slip the boot off the car over the inner tie rod shaft. There's a little tube that connects the boot to the boot on the other side to equalize pressure in them as you turn. Make sure not to pull it out of the other side when you remove the boot or you'll be fishing around later on the other side trying to get it back in.

Push the plastic sleeve back (towards rack) that is covering the ball end of the inner tie rod at the rack.

The special tool has a bunch of different ends for different size inner tie rods. Find the appropriate size and slip the tool over the inner tie rod. Attach ratchet and remove inner tie rod. It's not reverse thread or anything, so counter-clockwise to remove.

Reinstall in reverse order. Inner tie rod torques to 74 lb.ft. GM Service Manual states no thread locker is to be used on the rack threads, though some will argue this. I never use any. Don't forget to slide the little plastic cover back over the ball end of the tie rod and also make sure to get the little tube back into the hole in the backside of the boot. Replace the crimped metal band on the rack end of the boot that you cut off earlier with a good ziptie and cut off the extra.

Get an alignment.

Or.... if you want to take the chance, I'm 30 minutes east of KC and own the tools to replace it and would give you a hand.

Thank you for all the info abrasive, i got the new inner on.It was definitely worn out.I could not get a tool for it tho so i used a cresent wrench.lol

dang! too bad i didnt see this thread or i could have let you get the new acdelco inner tie-rods i have with less than 100 miles.

oh well, im glad you got fixed...

Nice right up Abrasive. I was going to say that it was most likely his inner tie rod and yes you definitely need to have your alignment checked and most likely adjusted after doing this. As for buster not everything needs to be taken to a pro.