Inner tie rod end replacement

[DugMick]

My 1999 Grand Voyager is making noise in the front end, and I hear and feel looseness in the steering gear / inner tie rod end area. The rubber boot covers this area up, so I hate to take it apart without a little knowledge of what I am getting into. My Haynes manual does not address the procedure to replace the inner tie rod ends, and I have not been able to find and posts here either. Does anybody here have any experience with this, and can offer suggestions or gotchas?

Thanks

[jd-autotech]

you gotta remove the tire the outer tie rod then the boot if the litle clamps break you can use tystaps in there place, the end of the inner tierod is either hexed or has 2 flat sides where you can grab on to turn it. loctite threads install new one some have a lock pin to insert when its tight. reintall boot jamb nut, the outer tierod, you need to count the turns of the tierod when you remove it. and count back on to get it close to where it was. but if you remove the boot and there is any power steering fluid in there the steering rack is no good.

[jd-autotech]

most part stores have the directions in the box with the part complete with torqe specs. also loan tools there is a inner tierod tool you may need. when all done get the alignment check

[DugMick]

Well, I took JD's advice and removed the boot on the inner tie rod, and found there was no play or looseness in the tie rod end. After having my wife move the steering wheel and me watching underneath, the end of the steering rack is moving front-to-back - apparently the bushing or whatever supports the rack is worn. Once I saw that, I found several posts here regarding the same issue, I guess I am not alone. Good thing there was no oil in the boot, that steering unit is expensive. I will just wait until it gets much worse.

[cheokee]

actually if you replace the sway bar bushings the noise an move ment will go away