bpddaddy

I have a 2001 Tahoe and have been told the inner tie rods need replacing. Symptom is a very slight vibration transmitted through the steering wheel when turning to the right.

I'm not afraid, just not comfortable with Haynes and having never done inners before.

What I really need is a real Chevy service manual.

Any suggestions or pics out there?

MT-2500

I would double check them make sure.
Some people will tell you anything.

Due to the cost of tools to do the job one time and it will need a alignment when done I would suggest a good repair shop or alignment shop.


E bay or the dealer can get Factory repair manuals.
Or a All data on line sub has the factory repair info.
http://www.alldata.com/products/diy/index.html
Your public library may have car repair info.
Also the AZ web site may cover some of it.
Good Luck

__________________
Remember proper testing gives us the answer to many problems.
MT

G.A.S.

for a tie rod all you really need is a pickel fork, socket set, side cutters and a pipe wrench.
You can install them yourself with no problem. You have to get an allignment afterwords though.
Save mabey 60 bucks.
Study the tie rod. there is a cotter key and nut holding the rod to the center/drag link that needs to be removed. loosening of the bolt in the sleave . first.
pickel fork the tie rod loose form the drag/center link and lower it down far enough to unscrew it from the sleave with the pipe wrench. there are right and left hand threads so keep an eye to see if it is screwing in or out.
If you take a marker and mark the shaft of the old tie rod right at the sleave your instlation of the new one will be close.
screw in the new rod and hold the old one with the mark up to it. grease zerk to zerk is the closest you will get.
install nut and tighten, install cotter key. tighten sleave and grease. take in for an allignment.

j cAT

if you are familiar with replacing front end steering componets this is a job that is easy compared with to other componets the tool you will need is a big open end wrench slightly larger than 13/8in...and a 14inch pipe wrench remove rubber boot and nut is revealed. loosen tie rod nut on threaded rod with big wrench holding center link with pipe wrench unscrew tie rod... medium lock tight is used so a small torch to heat may be necessary...when installing use medium blue lock tight on tie rod threads. torque to about 70ft lbs holding center link with pipe wrench...use tie raps to secure rubber boots grease before covering joint..on alignment measure the length and adjust new to same.....after both sides installed use fishing line to adjust for parrallel wheel position then you can get the algnment....run line from rear wheel to front steering wheel straight.....

MT-2500

2 or 4W?
How many miles on it?
Does it have a rack and pinon or old type steering gear?
The info I gave in first post was for a rack and pinion steering.
It would be odd for just the inner tie rods to be lose without other stuff being bad to.
I would double check everything good before replacing stuff on it.
Good luck
MT

__________________
Remember proper testing gives us the answer to many problems.
MT

j cAT

if he has the same tie rods like mine the inner tie rod grease boots are held in place from gm by a metal ring the ring rusts then water enters the joint. i grease and inspect these things often and just a very small amount of wear in the ball like tie rod joint will cause this vibration.....plus it starts to drift/hunting on ridges in road surface......

bpddaddy

Guess what. Everyone hear was great on the feedback, and I'll use all of it. Check the entire suspension myself and not trust the stealership - who wanted $950 for the job. Without alignment.

But the overall winner is jCAT. He/She described the problem on the spot. It's drifting and hunting on ridges and even the highway.

Thanks... Be back when I'm done.