inner tie-rod on a 97

[happydog500]

On my 1997 Lesabre I have a Drivers side, "inner tie rod" that's really lose. I was wondering how hard it is to change? Anybody ever done one? How hard was it? Thanks, Chris.

[LeSabre97mint]

Originally Posted by happydog500

On my 1997 Lesabre I have a Drivers side, "inner tie rod" that's really lose. I was wondering how hard it is to change? Anybody ever done one? How hard was it? Thanks, Chris.

Chris


How many miles on your 97? I'm asking this because you may be in need of a replacment rack and pinion. Just something to consider before putting in a inner tie rod.

Replacing a inner tie rod isn't too bad. You can rent the tool from AutoZone if there is one near you.

If you haven't done front end work and don't have a jack and jack stands with a place to work I wouldn't recomend doing this project.

If I were doing this job, I would start by lifting the front, putting it on jackstands. Pull the tire off on the side you're replacing the tie rod. Next find a spot where you can take a measurement, say at the end of the old tie rod to some other object, so you can put the new one back to the same spot. Back out the thread from the outter and inner tie rods. Use the tool to remove the inner tie rod. Follow instructions on putting the new one in. Some use locktight, some use a crimp to prevent it from backing out. Put the outter and inner tie rod back together using the measurement you took earlier. Your steering wheel should be fairly streight if you get this right.

Now, your front end should be close enough to take it to the front end shop to get it alighned. I would have an alighnment scheduled after you get done with the job.

This is just an overview. If you have a friend that's done this before it wouldn't hurt to ask for help.

Regards

Dan

[happydog500]

OK, thank you. I do have someone in mind. He is a good mecanic who's "done this many times before." He just moved back (wife problems) home and will do the job for me for $30. The part at autoZone is $15.99 (Shucks $22, Jerry's $49).

The reason I was asking was eather I was going to do it or if I had him do it, I wanted to know how hard it was going to be for him.

The car has 129,000 (allmost all overdrive highway miles). The one wheel seems really loose. He got under it yesterday and said it was the inner tie-rod. I should have him look at the rack before I get the part.

What would it be if it's the rack? Are you thinking it might be loose, or does the rack might need replacing? On the "Fig.3 Exploded View" I see the tie rod hooks to the rack with a "Inner Pivot Bushing." Maybe the bushing is worn? Thanks for replying,
Chris.

[LeSabre97mint]

Originally Posted by happydog500

OK, thank you. I do have someone in mind. He is a good mecanic who's "done this many times before." He just moved back (wife problems) home and will do the job for me for $30. The part at autoZone is $15.99 (Shucks $22, Jerry's $49).

The reason I was asking was eather I was going to do it or if I had him do it, I wanted to know how hard it was going to be for him.

The car has 129,000 (allmost all overdrive highway miles). The one wheel seems really loose. He got under it yesterday and said it was the inner tie-rod. I should have him look at the rack before I get the part.

What would it be if it's the rack? Are you thinking it might be loose, or does the rack might need replacing? On the "Fig.3 Exploded View" I see the tie rod hooks to the rack with a "Inner Pivot Bushing." Maybe the bushing is worn? Thanks for replying,
Chris.

If the rack is working okay..... power steering working.... no dead spots....no slop in the gears.... then just replace the tie rod. However, if the rack is bad, you get new tie rods with a rebuild rack.

Dan

[happydog500]

I guess I'm going to do the job myself. What's this " Use the tool to remove the inner tie rod" part? What kind of tool will I need?

Can I put it on ramps in stead of jackstands? Thanks,
Chris.

[LeSabre97mint]

Originally Posted by happydog500

I guess I'm going to do the job myself. What's this " Use the tool to remove the inner tie rod" part? What kind of tool will I need?

Can I put it on ramps in stead of jackstands? Thanks,
Chris.

Chris

You've probably already did the job since this is so late. However, I would use jackstands so the wheel is free and not sitting on the ramp. Rent the inner tierod tool from AutoZone.

Dan

[happydog500]

I had my friend (fiend of a friend) do it after all. I wish I wouldn't of tho. When he took the old one off, it was really on there. When he put the new one on, he just put it tight. I think it should be on a lot tighter.

Also, when he was done, he found the boots, small end curled inside the boot. He said, "it doesn't matter."

I went out today and wanted to tighten the large end of the tierod and get the end of the boot pulled out like it's supoised to.

When I took the boot off, I couldn't get to the part of the tierod that's closest to the rack because there was a white cup like thing that looks like it is supoised to be inside the end of the rack, but it was out away from the rack around the large end of the tierod. It made it so I couldn't get to the flat part of the end to tighten it.

I took some pics with my digital camera but not sure if I can post them at this forum.

I did get the boot pulled out. I need to get a clamp tho.

I have not ben able to drive it because the alignment is so far out. I have an apointment on monday at 5:00pm.

Can anyone tell me about the white thing around the large end of the tierod? Why is it on so I can't get to the flat part? I can send you a pic to see. Thank you,

Chris.