inner tie rod replacement

[mrjones]

Has any replaced one of the inner tie-rod ends on the MM? Looks my driver's side is bad. I went to a Ford dealer today for a car show and asked the service writer. He had to check it out and said the labor would either be $140 or $380 depending on whether they had to drop the rack. If they had to drop the rack, it was going to be 4 hours labor at $95. Just wondering if anyone here has ever done one on the MM, and if so, how much of a PITA was it?

[Krytin]

I'm confused - do we have an inner tie rod end?
I thought the rack had a rod on each end with one tie rod end to connect to each spindle. Where is the "inner tie rod end"??!!

[LeoVampire]

Yes there is an inner tie rod and it has a ball type joint on it where it screws onto the rack it's self.

And I doubt they have to remove the rack to do it seeing it is right in front and accessable.

It does take a special tool to do like all Tie Rod's on racks. Can not do a toe adjustment if there is not and inner and outer tie rod.

The outer screws onto the inner tie rod and is held in place with a nut on the back side of it to keep the inner one from turning on the threads.

http://www.etoolcart.com/ProductImages/lisle/LIS-45750.jpg (http://www.etoolcart.com/ProductImages/lisle/LIS-45750.jpg)

This is the tool that should be used to do the job. better to replace the inner andouter at the same time and then do an alighnment after words no matter which is changed.

[fastblackmerc]

Did the replacement include a front end alignment also?

If the tie rods ends are replace (I'd get both sides done) then you'll also need the front end aligned.

[RoyLPita]

Which side is bad? Warranty for the right is .6. the left is .5. Alignment is .7. CP maybe 2 hours minimum including alignment. However, Alldata can be more.

[mrjones]

The driver's side appears to be bad. I was going to look at everything more thoroughly yesterday, but it started raining and I was just out in the driveway. I'm going to check everything out more thoroughly including ball joints and control arm bushings. The car drives like hell compared to new and it's got less than 60K on it.

What does the specialty tool do? Is it specific to the MM, CV and GM, or is it used on all rack & pinion cars?

[mrjones]

The replacement cost I quoted did not include an alignment - that was an extra $70. They also wanted $95 for the part. That price was at a dealership.

[jgc61sr2002]

This is a common Panther problem.:(

[LeoVampire]

The driver's side appears to be bad. I was going to look at everything more thoroughly yesterday, but it started raining and I was just out in the driveway. I'm going to check everything out more thoroughly including ball joints and control arm bushings. The car drives like hell compared to new and it's got less than 60K on it.

What does the specialty tool do? Is it specific to the MM, CV and GM, or is it used on all rack & pinion cars?

The rod slips over the length of the inner tie rod and then you use the c-ring that fits your tie rod and it gets locked in place with a lock ring on the end of the tool it's self.

Once it is locked on you use a 1/2" drive ratchet on the end of it to unscrew the inner tie rod.

On most inner tie rod's there is a spot on oposit side's of it that are crused with a hammer and punch to keep it from comming off of the rack threads.

When the new one is put on you have to crush those ends down to hold in place. Always sugest putting a new bellows boot on after words seeing that area is not touched too often. Then put the outer tie rod on and do an alignment.

[RoyLPita]

The replacement cost I quoted did not include an alignment - that was an extra $70. They also wanted $95 for the part. That price was at a dealership.

I would try another place.

[BAD MERC]

Does the cost and labor of new inners ONLY outweigh the cost and labor of replacing the whole rack? Then you'd likely have a lifetime warranty on the parts and peace of mind with everything being replaced.

[LeoVampire]

Does the cost and labor of new inners ONLY outweigh the cost and labor of replacing the whole rack? Then you'd likely have a lifetime warranty on the parts and peace of mind with everything being replaced.

$100.00 round about for both the inner and outer tie rod ends on 1 side plus labor and then the alighnment.

VS $ 250.00 round about for a remanufactured rack & pinion which should come with all 4 tie rod ends and new bellows boots.

Then the labor for either job to add on and then the alighnment.

Check your options and places to see what you can get for pricing.

[mrjones]

Rock Auto shows the inners (Moog) for about $31 each, and outers at $39. The rack is $205 and comes with inners only.

I'll probably end up doing the labor myself after buying the tool if I can't find one at our shop someplace.

[LeoVampire]

Rock Auto shows the inners (Moog) for about $31 each, and outers at $39. The rack is $205 and comes with inners only.

I'll probably end up doing the labor myself after buying the tool if I can't find one at our shop someplace.

Might be able to rent for free the inner tierod tool to do the job.

Replace both the inner and outer as a sugestion and count the number of turns to take the outer one off so you can get the new one on in about the same possition and I do sugest you get the rubber boot that covers the end of the rack as well seeing your in there okay?

Then go for an alignment to set it properly.

P.S. and for god's sake don't forget to pean down the end of the tie rod where it screws onto the rack after it is installed. Or it may back it's self off the rack over time.
There are usualy 2 semi soft crush points on the inner tie rod.

[RoyLPita]

Might be able to rent for free the inner tierod tool to do the job.

Replace both the inner and outer as a sugestion and count the number of turns to take the outer one off so you can get the new one on in about the same possition and I do sugest you get the rubber boot that covers the end of the rack as well seeing your in there okay?

Then go for an alignment to set it properly.

Sounds like very good advice for the do it yourselfer.