How to remove inner tie rod from rack?

[dmd]

I'm trying to replace my inner tie rod on the driver's side of my '96 LT4. I got the bellows off, and I know it threads on, but there's nothing to grab hold of to twist it off. Tried to grab at it with some vise grips, but the outside ring of the joint spins freely. What's the trick to this?? The Chilton manual doesn't discuss it, only the removal of the outer, and the entire "steering gear," which seems to refer to the rack.

 

[boomdriver]

The trick ?
easy....thats a bench job. Not inframe.
It requires a special tool. And a vice. Rebuilding a rack is not for everybody. It has to be done right or it will leak and have all kinds of problems. Not what is considered safe for steering gear. Inframe, about all that can be done successfully is outter tie rod ends and boots. Seals and inners are for the bench...or a specialist rebuild shop that has the tools and knowlege of rack specs.

Rebuilt racks are only $250 exchange. Probably the cheapest of all the precision parts on a C4.

You need a FSM to even begin to do a job like that. Without a REAL FSM you do more damage than good. Chitlens, Haynes and ANY $20 book do not qualify as manuals...those are door stops.

Search this website to find the publisher of new FSM sets. Around $100. Go to FleaBay to find used sets for a bit less. CD copies are available.

 

[LT4man]

Very easy to do with an inner tie rod end tool.

[h=1]Inner Tie Rod Tool[/h] No. LIS-45750 Inner Tie Rod Tool Works on Tie Rods With Inaccessible Flats. Features: Many inner tie rod end sockets do not have a complete hex on the full length of the socket. The rounded socket ends prevent access to the wrench flats. This tool utilizes five crows feet, to engage the wrench flats. Long socket slips over tie rod end and connects to the crows foot. The inner tie rod can be removed and installed without removing the rack.

 

[dmd]

LT4man, you rock! Thanks, I'll see if they have that as a loaner tool at the parts store.

 

[dmd]

That did it. I had to try tool sets from both Autozone and O'Reilly's before I found the one from O'Reilly's worked, but it worked to get the thing off without pulling the rack. The inner tie rod was ony $26 and the tools were loaners, way less and easier than a rack rebuild job. Thanks LT4Man!

 

[LT4man]

No, you rock! You did all the heavy lifting!

Where did you buy the tie rod end?

Those hardly ever wear out, so you will be good for a good long time.

While driving your Vette with the new inner tie rod end, please be sure to SAVE the WAVE!