Tools Required

J 34028 Inner Tie Rod Wrench

Important: After removing the boot, inspect the inner tie rod for evidence of corrosion or contamination. If none is evident, continue with the repair. If corrosion or contamination is evident, replace the steering gear.

1. Remove the rack and pinion boot. Refer to Steering Gear Boot and Breather Tube Replacement - Off Vehicle .
2. Place the gear in a vise.

Notice: Do not change the steering gear preload adjustment before moving the inner tie rod from the steering gear. Changing the steering gear preload adjustment before moving the inner tie rod could result in damage to the pinion and the steering gear.

3. Remove the shock dampener (4) from the inner tie rod assembly (6).
4. Slide the shock dampener (4) back on the rack (5).

Notice: Refer to Pipe Wrench Positioning Notice in the Preface section.

5. Place a pipe wrench on the rack (5) next to the inner tie rod housing (6).
6. Place a wrench on the flats of the inner tie rod housing (6).
7. Rotate the inner tie rod housing (6) counterclockwise, while holding the rack stationary, until the inner tie rod separates from the rack (5).




Notice: Do not change the steering gear preload adjustment before moving the inner tie rod from the steering gear. Changing the steering gear preload adjustment before moving the inner tie rod could result in damage to the pinion and the steering gear.

8. Remove the shock dampener (3) from the inner tie rod housing (2).
9. Slide the shock dampener (3) back on the rack (5).

Notice: Refer to Pipe Wrench Positioning Notice in the Preface section.

10. Place a pipe wrench on the rack.
11. Place a wrench on the flats of the inner tie rod housing (2).
12. Rotate the inner tie rod housing (2) counterclockwise, while holding the rack stationary, until the inner tie rod (1) separates from the rack (5).



13. If female rack (1) and male inner tie rod (3), remove the old LOCTITE® from the threads (2) of the inner tie rod and the rack.

If male rack (5) and female inner tie rod (4) LOCTITE® will not be present.

1. Slide the shock dampener (4) forward onto the rack (3).

Important: Threads must be clean prior to LOCTITE® application. Check LOCTITE® or equivalent container for expiration date. Use only enough LOCTITE® to evenly coat threads.

If male rack (3) and female inner tie rod (2) do not apply LOCTITE®.
2. If female rack (3) and male inner tie rod (2), apply LOCTITE® 262 or equivalent to the inner tie rod threads.
3. Attach the inner tie rod onto the rack (3).

Notice: Refer to Pipe Wrench Positioning Notice in the Preface section.

4. Place a pipe wrench on the rack (3) next to the inner tie rod housing (2).

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

5. Place a torque wrench and J 34028 on the flats of the inner tie rod housing (2).

Tighten
Tighten the inner tie rod to 100 N·m (74 lb ft).




6. Slide the shock dampener (2) forward onto the rack.

Important: Threads must be clean prior to LOCTITE® application. Check LOCTITE® or equivalent container for expiration date. Use only enough LOCTITE® to evenly coat threads.

If male rack and female inner tie rod (1) do not apply LOCTITE®.
7. If female rack and male inner tie rod (1), apply LOCTITE® 262 or equivalent to the inner tie rod threads.
8. Attach the inner tie rod (1) onto the rack.

Notice: Refer to Pipe Wrench Positioning Notice in the Preface section.

9. Place a pipe wrench on the rack next to the inner tie rod housing (4).
10. Place a torque wrench and J 34028 on the flats of the inner tie rod housing (7).

Tighten
Tighten the inner tie rod to 100 N·m (74 lb ft).




11. Place the inner tie rod assembly (2) in a vise.

Important: If female rack (1) and male inner tie rod (2) do not stake. If male rack (1) and female inner tie rod (2) you must stake.

12. Stake both sides of the female inner tie rod assembly housing to the male rack.



13. Insert a 0.25 mm gage (1) between the rack (2) and the inner tie rod housing in order to check both stakes. The feeler gage (1) must not pass between the rack and the housing stake.



14. Slide the shock dampener (2) over the inner tie rod housing (3) until the front lip of the shock dampener (2) bottoms against the inner tie rod housing (3).
15. To assemble the rack and pinion boot. Refer to Steering Gear Boot and Breather Tube Replacement - Off Vehicle .