Tools Required

J 34028 Inner Tie Rod Wrench

Important: 

•	The boot and retaining clamps must be replaced when replacing the inner tie rod.

•	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 Replacement - Off Vehicle .
2. Place the gear in a vise.

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

3. Separate the shock dampener (4) from inner tie rod assembly (2).
4. Slide the shock dampener back on the rack (3).

Important: The pipe wrench must be placed at the valve end of the steering gear (1) and positioned up against the inner tie rod housing. Placing the pipe wrench in any other location will cause damage to the steering gear (1).

5. Place a pipe wrench on the rack (3) next to the inner tie rod housing (2).
6. Place a wrench on the flats of the inner tie rod housing (2).
7. Rotate the inner tie rod housing (2) counterclockwise until the inner tie rod separates from the rack (3).



8. At the other gear end, separate the shock dampener (3) from inner tie rod assembly (2).
9. Slide the shock dampener (3) back on the rack (4).

Important: The pipe wrench must be placed at the valve end of the steering gear (5). Placing the pipe wrench in any other location will cause damage to the steering gear (5).

10. Maintain the pipe wrench on the opposite end of the rack (6).
11. Place a wrench on the flats of the inner tie rod housing (2).
12. Rotate the inner tie rod housing (2) counterclockwise until the inner tie rod separates from the rack (4).



13. Remove old LOCTITE® from the threads (1) of the rack (3) and inner tie rod (2).

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

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

2. Apply LOCTITE® 262 (or equivalent) to the inner tie rod threads (2).
3. Attach the inner tie rod (2) onto the rack (3).
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.

Important: The pipe wrench must be placed at the valve end of the steering gear (1) and positioned up against the inner tie rod housing. Placing the pipe wrench in any other location will cause damage to the steering gear (1).

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

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




6. Slide the shock dampener (1) over the inner tie rod housing (2) until the front lip of the shock dampener (1) bottoms against the inner tie rod housing (2).



7. Slide the shock dampener (3) forward onto the rack (2).

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

8. Apply LOCTITE® 262 (or equivalent) to the inner tie rod (1) threads.
9. Attach the inner tie rod (1) onto the rack (2).

Important: The pipe wrench must be placed at the valve end of the steering gear (5) and positioned up against the inner tie rod housing. Placing the pipe wrench in any other location will cause damage to the steering gear (5).

10. Maintain the pipe wrench on the opposite end of the rack (5) next to the inner tie rod housing.
11. Place a torque wrench and J 34028 on the flats of the inner tie rod housing (1).

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




12. Slide the shock dampener (1) over the inner tie rod housing (2) until the front lip of the shock dampener (1) bottoms against the inner tie rod housing (2).
13. Remove the gear from the vise.
14. Install the rack and pinion boot. Refer to Steering Gear Boot Replacement - Off Vehicle .