tie rod replacement

[umina]

I've got (what I believe) is an inner tierod with some play. I came to this conclusion by noticing a wobble at higher speed that makes a sort of thumping sound when turing left (only when taking a gradual bend on the highway, nothing at slow speeds). So i jacked up the front of the van (did this on both sides) and grabbed the tire at 12 and 6 and gave it a wobble. No play, meaning Ball joints are OK. I then grabbed at 3 and 9, and there was like a quarter inch of play there. This only happened on the passenger side, not the driver side.
I had really expected this to be on the driver side, since this is where most of the torque initially from the motor heads first, but whatever. So anyways, to make a long story even longer, how hard of a job is this to do? I ordered a Haynes manual for the van (special order, couldn't find a shop in town that had them for these vans) but it won't be in till Friday. I talked to a fellow shadetree mechanic, and he said I need a map gas torch to heat up the tie rod to break free the locktight so i can unscrew it. This also involved placing a bag of ice on the tie rod to prevent the heat from messing up the rack.

BUUUTTT, the guy at the auto parts store said it just unscrews, and its so easy, that the removing/installing tool they rent is made of plastic. What kind of chore am I really in for with this?

[umina]

Well my manual comes in tomorow, and i'm gonna attempt this on the wife's van this weekend. Any tips/tricks I should be aware of?

[schmitty850]

usually you need an alignment afterwards but if you're only doing one side...mark(liquid paper works for me) how far the tie rod end is threaded in. spin off the nut...get your 'pickle fork' and place it, flat side up, between the boot and the control arm. couple off good wacks should pop it out. transfer you mark to the new one and thread it in.

good luck