99 windstar inner tie rod replacement

[cadolack]

I am replacing the passenger side inner tie rod. I have a nifty tool that gets right to the inner tie rod end, sliding over the rod. However, I am having no luck getting the thing to turn. I noticed that there are 2 very small pins that are inserted just beyond the threads of the inner tie rod end presumably to keep the assembly from unthreading. Do these need to be removed to get the inner tie rod off? If so how? If not, how do I remove the the stupid thing? Help!

[busboy4]

Hi
I have not done the job, and the oem manual for '96 is relatively non-descriptive . It assumes the rack is out of the vehicle however and says to : remove the clamps for the bellows and carefully remove it. Then to expose a section of teeth from the rack and pinion, hold those with an adjustable wrench and "remove the tie rod". For re-assembly it says pretty much the same thing and to torque it to 66-81 lb-ft.

Hope that helps

[cadolack]

Thanks for the info. That's basically what the manual I have says, as well. Unfortunately, it doesn't address those little spring pins on the thread-side of the inner tie rod. I am afraid I am going to have to drill out the pins (if I can get a drill into the small space).

BTW I am a new forum member. Glad to be a part of the community!

[12Ounce]

I believe those soft-metal plugs will just yield, if you can twist enough on the tie rod nut. (Years ago, those things were made out of lead, I believe.) I have also drilled them, but later learned to just twist them. Some replacement tie-rod kits come with the plugs (... but some may not). I remember the plugs being less than 1/4" long. I always added Loc-tite to the rack threads for a bit of extra security.

It's been a number of years since I have worked on inner tie-rods, so I'm a bit "dated" on the subject.

[cadolack]

Thanks for the info. Leaving the pins in won't strip the threads?