w210 Inner Tie Rod R&R - Help!
 

Hey guys,

I need to replace my passenger side inner tie rod arm. There is a boot that protects the inner tie rod assembly before I can get it it. I am unable to safely remove the metal fastener that is currently holding it on. I am assuming that I need a special tool fir this. Here are 2 photos to what I am referring to.

I would find out if that ring clamp can be purchased separately and if so, just cut the freaking thing off with some snips. I am not sure these are intended to be taken off and put back on. I might even look for a regular hose clamp to replace it. Jim

Here's an exact photo of the clamp in question....You can see it has a tab that slightly sticks out that holds onto the band nicely. Hence my question if gently removed it could be re-used.

Jim, I like the hose clamp idea.... I'm leaning towards that.

Those are a one-time use clamp. You could probably carefully pry it loose and re-use it, but that would be ill-advised.

I would have a hose clamp ready in case you break this. I have sucessfully removed one of these and re-installed them. But I they also break easy when trying to remove.

Try and bend the little tab that is angled holding it in with a needle nose. Once the tab is pointing up and not angled then take a flat edge screw driver and try and pry the clamp up, it will pop off. That bump looking thing sticking up is compressed in to make it tight. Sometimes you can find a screwdriver that fits in there and try and bend the sides out relieving the pressure of the clamp. To re-install it fit the tab in and bend the angle back down, then crimp the bump looking thing in with a pliers and it should tighten up.

But with that said, its sometimes alot easier to just get a hose clamp that fits.

Those ARE one-time clamps, designed to be snipped with a pair of cutting pliers at the "crimp". You CAN buy a replacement clamp and crimping tool though, if you're going to be showing it at a Concourse Event.:D

These same style clamps were original equipment on my BMW's CV joint boots and were replaced with "hose style" clamps which were included in the new joint boot kit.

They've spun 'round and 'round many miles since replacement without issues, so I imagine your application would be quite safe in using them.

MB uses these same clamps on the fuel system, I just changed out the fuel filter on my SLK and had to break two off. I grabbed the protrusion with pliers and gave it a twist or two and that is all that was needed for it to break open. I replaced them with standard hose clamps which worked fine. I agree these are only intended for one-time use and replacement of them with a normal hose clamp will be perfectly functional.

Thanks guys, I was able to get it off last night without difficulty. Wedge a smaller flat head under the end of the strap and pried upward until it popped out. It wasn't damaged but will revert to the hose clamp method.

What tool did you use to unscrew the inner tie rod?

Large open ended adjustable wrench. Worked Perfectly!

Will a hose clamp unbalance the shaft?
 

Some people claim that the weight of the screw part of a hose clamp will rotationally unbalance the shaft. I don't know if that is true or not but if you are at all concerned, just use two short hose clamps arranged such that the screw assemblies are on opposite sides so the weight balances. Perhaps overkill, I toss the idea out for whatever usefulness it may have.

Jeremy

Maybe useful for CV boots but tie rods don't spin (hopefully!) so being "unbalanced" shouldn't be too much of an issue for them. In a pinch you could probably use a heavy-duty zip tie to secure a boot which would be very secure and unlikely to cause any balance issues on a shaft that does spin.

I wouldn't worry about it. Like another person stated, there is no rotation, just horizontal movement. You can put just about anything on as long as it wouldn't interfere witht he normal operation of the tie rod.