Heya - new member here. My apologies if this topic has been covered, but I wasn't able to find a search feature to run through the posts. I've got a bad tie-rod end on the driver side, and am contemplating doing it myself. But this is one of the things I've never messed with before, so I was wondering if I could get some info/suggestions. Am I looking at a major nightmare (I'm a backyard mechanic by genetics ) for $15 or would it be better to pay the $250 to have someone else do it?
I've looked for a few webpages on how to do this - but haven't been able to track anything down. Any help would be awesome.

Thanks much

 

Well, I have never and will never just replace 1 tie rod on a car unless I'm on vacation and don't have a choice. If 1 tie rod is bad, the others are not that far behind. You will also need a front end alignment when your done. Last time I did mine, I made sure everything was the same number of turns in/out from old to new, and my alignment was still off. Not all tie rods will be the same length if you go aftermarket.

 

I forgot to mention you will need a tie rod/fork removal set. Most auto stores have a free loaner system where you pay for the tool, and when you bring it back you get your money back. I have done this to many times, so when I checked it out the last time I never brought it back. This only costed me $30 at advance auto parts.

 

Great advice of course, and thanks for mentioning it - I have both sides, but have been trying to find some sort of instructional/step-by-step to give a little more info.
I got a bit of advice from a friend of mine as well - it was pretty succinct:
I'm pretty sure I know which nuts are which, I just like to be sure before I start diggin in and pulling things off. Would the hammer be effective (so long as I'm careful) or would you recommend the puller anyway. I've got a bit of experience under my belt using tools for purposes other than specified, but for some reason this little adventure has got me a bit more on edge than normal. Like I said - just want to make sure I've got it right.

 

Never, ever hit the threaded rod.

I'll try to find the thread that I explained how to remove tapered studs without special tools.

[edit] https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/sho...96&postcount=5

Also:

http://shbox.com/1/rack&pinion.jpg

 

I've tried taking tie rods off with out the forks and using other methods but I really didn't like those other methods. Every body has their own way of doing things. Find out what's best for you. You will get many suggestions on how to do it.

 

Got it - thanks for the help. I did end up using a hammer, as the puller I rented from Autozone was close to useless - and wasn't too concerned with ruining the threads on it - as the replacement tie-rod end had new parts. Even so, it just took a couple of taps so long as you had the rod twisted so that it was more or less straight and fell out.
It ended up being far easier than I had anticipated. All in all, once you've done it once - it'd probably only take 30min to replace them, so long as you don't run into any unforeseen problems. And as we all know - that NEVER happens

Thanks again!