Inner tie rod removal? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

markdunn99 · 10-07-2010, 08:16 AM

Reading up on inner tie rod removal on 95 Camry - I see a big DIY on removing the entire rack assembly. Can't you remove the inner tie rod without removing the entire rack? Do you have to hold the inner rack piece or can you just get a tie rod removal tool on there and spin it off? If you have to hold the inner rack rod can you get in there to do that without removing the entire rack? Will the autozone tie rod removal tool work on this type of tie rod? Hoping someone who has done this will reply asap! Want to do it this weekend.... Thank you

***Mister_Perkins*** · 10-07-2010, 09:32 AM

Yes , ask for a crows foot at the parts place ... i cant remember the size. 30mm maybe?? they will probably know at the parts place. You hook it up to an impact and zip it out. Put it back in with the crows foot and your good to go. No rack removal needed

You will also need to Remove inner tie rod boot and bend back cruch washer between inner tie rod and steering rack to get to the nut with the crows foot

markdunn99 · 10-07-2010, 10:24 AM

I think the tool includes the different size crows foot inserts doesn't it? So you're saying I do NOT have to hold the inside rack piece (not sure what it is called?) from spinning with a wrench and that I can just basically unscrew the tie rod itself assuming I have the right tool to do so? Thanks again

***Mister_Perkins*** · 10-07-2010, 10:28 AM

yes, the kit should come with multiple sockets. If you dont have an impact you may need to hold the tie rod with an adjustable wrench. It should only have 50lbs torque or so.

You MAY need to hold it with a wrench, but usually they just spin right off if you have to correct tool.

Just make sure to get it aligned after you replace the tie rod

Ive heard of people using basic wrenches also, but I've never personally done it that way

markdunn99 · 10-07-2010, 12:39 PM

Excellent thanks. I understand what you're saying now...if you use an impact wrench to spin it off with the tie rod tool there should be no need to hold the rack while doing so. I have an impact wrench so that will be no problem. Plan to get an alignment anyways since I'm doing lots of other suspension work as well - new control arms, tie rod ends, ball joints, sway bar bushings and end links! Should ride like a new one after all that. Hope my son appreciates it!

Unfortunately have to bring it to my friends shop for the control arms....I can't budge the bolts at all. He's putting those in tomorrow and then I'll do the rest over the weekend. On the one side his tie rod jamb nut is frozen and the threads are stripped so I want to just put a new one on. Thanks again

***Mister_Perkins*** · 10-07-2010, 01:04 PM

Thats a lot of new parts. Should last for a really long time I would say! If you run into any problems let me know! Oh also, When those inner tie-rods are installed they put lock tight on the threads usually so make sure to get some lock-tight on the tie-rod before re-installing

markdunn99 · 10-07-2010, 01:38 PM

Yes thanks.....will do on the loc-tite. Not expecting any problems....I've done a lot of this type of work before....like to be proactive in replacing wear parts even if there isn't a specific problem at the time.....plus...I enjoy doing it and it keeps me out of trouble! I hate that I have to bring it in to do the control arms because that's a job I could do myself easily....just cannot get those f#$%in bolts out! Even with an impact wrench they wouldn't budge. I can start to spin the rear one because I can get a breaker bar on that and get some leverage but the two inside bolts there just isn't enough room to get any leverage.

***Mister_Perkins*** · 10-07-2010, 03:43 PM

that's why its nice to have a "blue wrench" handy. hehehe

making life easy:

markdunn99 · 10-08-2010, 11:23 AM

Nice! Well...Autozone didn't have the right tie rod removal tool for rent...they just had one that is one size....I need the one with the different crows feet inserts in order to fit over the flats on the tie rod. So I'll have to probably buy one at Sears.

***Mister_Perkins*** · 10-08-2010, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markdunn99

Nice! Well...Autozone didn't have the right tie rod removal tool for rent...they just had one that is one size....I need the one with the different crows feet inserts in order to fit over the flats on the tie rod. So I'll have to probably buy one at Sears.

If you have an Advanced Auto, they may have it. I am not completely sure who has them. I bought my kit years ago from Matco

markdunn99 · 10-09-2010, 09:11 AM

Thanks. My friend who is a mechanic and owns a garage loaned me his tie rod removal tool. So I'm gonna do it this weekend.

camrybartockus · 10-09-2010, 05:56 PM

hey i would reommend you pick up the inner tie rod end boot at the dealer.
its about 60 bucks here in canada. i struggled with some brand made by spicer - maybe a mechanic with a lift could do it from underneath - but DIY with jacks, save yourself some trouble and the the original boot that slides on with ease

oh ya, if you dont have at least a bad ass pipe wrench and vise grips, it may be hard to get the inner tie unscrewed from the outter tie rod.

this job is somewhat easy, i am far from a trained mechanic and pulled it off no problem. and ya, alignment after as you know.

retiredat44 · 03-05-2011, 03:00 AM

mY daughter had an accident, which resulted in a bent tie rod on driver's side. I went to Kragen auto and got a loaner inner tie rod tool.. and bought a new inner and out tie rod.

I replaced the inner tie rod. But, I need a new 'Rack and Pinion Boot'. I went to Pepboys, Kragen Auto, and Autozone, and none had the correct size boots. Even though their computers kept showing they did. They kept bringing out the boots they had in stock and none were the correct ones.

I suppose I have to go to the Toyota dealer tomorrow and see if they have one and if will cost some outrageous amount of money.

The one I took off has some holes in it and I would hate to put that one back on..

Anyone know where I can find a new one besides the dealer? cost?

Update on Dealer cost for Camry Rack and Pinion Boot wrong size:
Online website for Toyota Dealers says $40.00 !!!!!

if I buy online, I am very afraid it would be slightly wrong size on one/both
ends..

thanx..

1993 Camry LE 2.2L engine.

btw, I added to this thread, if that is ok...

markdunn99 · 03-05-2011, 07:23 AM

That's pretty strange....that boot should be a fairly common item. I would just order it online from an aftermarket supplier...rockauto is good. Just do a google search on camry tie rod boot and you'll find plenty of places to purchase it! Good luck

retiredat44 · 03-05-2011, 05:47 PM

I could not find the right size anywhere, the dealer want's $40.00 plus tax... and still not sure if that is the right size..

I tell ya, the ones the parts stores have will not fit my car, the hole on the tie rod end is half the size of mine... or both holes are wrong, or everythings is wrong,, but I did find a shop on the internet that sent me a diagram showing the dimensions of their Rack and pinion bellows (boots) and they are only $9.00 each... so I ordered from them...

I found it odd. but that's the story and a couple days of going to stores and calling around,, I went to many many stores and compared mine in the store to all of theirs.... the differences were enough so that there would be no way to make them fit correctly...

what a racket these car makers have making these front wheel drive with crappy boots,, and junk that causes more grief and repairs... next new car will be rear wheel drive.. they just make front wheel drive cars because the factory can make a bigger profit and the dealers sucking money out of people needing half-shaft and rack and pinion repairs..

sorry about the rant,, but this was all unecessary BS I went through just to get a boot and not get ripped off paying $40.00 for a part worth 50 frakkin cents..

IMHO