What does the Tie Rod do? How to replace?
 

What does the tie rod do and is it easy to replace? My state inspection told me my right one was bad. How can a "rod" go bad?

Can I do this without a lift? I have ramps and my tire jack. I will check fastlane for the part.

Thanks...

PS... I did check the DIY page first but no tie rod instructions.

Re: What does the Tie Rod do? How to replace?
 

It is a rod that has a "ball joint" at each end that turns the spindle.

Changing is CAKE!

Just jack up (if all you have is a stock jack, put some blocks or jack-stands under the car, don't trust a tire jack) , unbolt the retainer nut, use a pickle fork (or a gear puller/ball joint press) to separate at both ends, rod drops free.

Use the old rod to approximate the same distance with the new rod ends and tighten it.

Bolt in the new rod (complete rod NOT just the end, too cheap NOT to get the whole rod with both ends), torque to spec. Take car and have it aligned.

One thing, to save the cost of re-alignment, might as well replace BOTH tie rods if the bad one is very loose as they're both probably pretty worn and you'll replace the other one soon and have to have it aligned yet again.

Great Instructions.... thanks!
 

Thanks for the reply. The other tie rod had been replaced last year just before I aquired the car. Am doing many projects on this car as a learner. Previous owner had treated it as a "beater" and I am slowly bringing it back to life.

TomJ is right about the whole rod. You can just replace the ends if you want to. The inner ones don't seem to wear nearly as fast or be in bad shape. You aslo don't NEED the pickle fork to separte the joints. Get a big hammer and smack where the joint goes into the spindle. Hit the spindle, not the tie rod. The spindle is expensive, and rent is free from autozone, so if uncomfortable with the hammer trick, go to autozone. When doing the ends; count the number of turns it takes to get the old one out of the rod. Once it is out, put it next to the new one to make sure they are equal length. Also, take some measurements before you start so you can get it pretty close when going back together. Do both sides like he said also and get a proper allignment. If you have any more questions, let us know.
Thanks
David

picture
 

of a tie rod.

Re: picture
 

That is NOT a picture of a tie rod. It's a TIE ROD END.

(Due to its graphic nature and the rules of this board, I cannot in good conscience post a picture of a WHOLE tie rod!)

LOL. Re: picture
 

LOL. :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D