tie rods (ends)

Hello,
I have tore into replacing tie rods and got stuck with the lack of tools here at home. On the inner tie rod end does anyone know what size wrench I need to hold the cylinder rod so I can turn the inner tie rod end off.

I have to make a run to work for tools and didn't want to bring everything under the sun, if anyone knows the size and could let me know that would be great.

THis is quite hard to remove because the inner tie rod end is cold pressed to the flats on the cylinder rod. WHen I changed mine I removed the rack and pinion completely and did the work on the bench..and removed the flattened section with a grinder. However, I think Nicke66 did it "in situ".

O.K. I'm a little confused by this reply. The outer tie rod end does not attach to the cylinder rod so when you say it's cold pressed to the flats on the cylinder rod you loose me there. The inner tie rod end is the one attached to the cylider rod and that's what I'm tryin to remove. The outer tie rod end is broken free.

The question was what size wrench do I need to hold the cylinder rod steady...

Sorry..my mistake..I meant inner. Post has been edited now....
....you need a really sturdy key - 20mm as per .txt below - because of the force required to torque against the flattened end .

www.avigex.ca/xport/rackremoval.jpg
www.avigex.ca/xport/innertierodremove.jpg GM method
www.avigex.ca/xport/tierodinstall.jpg

www.avigex.ca/xport/innertierod.txt (this is nicke66 method)
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=476659

Thanks for the documentation. I think I'll try out the method that nicke66 mentions first. I'll let you know how it works out...

EDIT>>>

That worked for getting the old one off at least so far for one side. I'm concerned about one thing though Your supposed to "stake" the ends down but in place I can only get to the bottom to stake it. May nicke66 can chime in here to let me know if thats good enough or what.

Thanks,
James

I'm concerned about one thing though Your supposed to "stake" the ends down but in place I can only get to the bottom to stake it. May nicke66 can chime in here to let me know if thats good enough or what.

Thanks,
James
[/COLOR][/COLOR]

Hi,
The reason to "stake" the ends is to be sure the tie rod end not unscrew itself from the shaft. I suppose it is enough to stake it from one side. I did stake it only from the bottom, with a heavy piece of steel as holder on from the top side.

Another possibility is to use Loctite 222 or 243 at the treads.