Tools Required

SA9209C Inner Tie Rod Wrench

Caution: Refer to Vehicle Lifting Caution in the Preface section.




1. Raise the vehicle on a hoist.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assemblies.
3. Loosen the outer tie rod-to-inner tie rod jam nut.
4. Remove the steering gear from vehicle. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .



5. Remove the outer tie rod from the inner tie rod.
6. Remove the outer tie rod lock nut.
7. Remove the steering gear boot.



8. Remove the shock damper off the inner tie rod by sliding it toward the steering gear.

Notice: Steering gear rack must be held stationary during inner tie rod removal to prevent steering gear damage. Use an appropriate size wrench at the rack teeth to hold the rack during inner tie rod removal. Protect rack teeth with a shop cloth. For right side inner tie rod removal, it will be necessary to remove the left side boot to access the rack teeth.




9. Remove the inner tie rod assembly from the steering gear.

1. Remove any old LOCTITE® from the threads of the rack and the inner tie rod.

Important: The threads must be clean prior to threadlocker application Ensure that the threadlocker container expiration date has not passed. Do not use too much threadlocker. Use only enough to evenly coat threads.

2. Apply LOCTITE 262® , or equivalent to the inner tie rod threads.
3. If the shock damper was removed, slide it onto the steering gear.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

Notice: Steering gear rack must be held stationary during inner tie rod removal to prevent steering gear damage. Use an appropriate size wrench at the rack teeth to hold the rack during inner tie rod removal. Protect rack teeth with a shop cloth. For right side inner tie rod removal, it will be necessary to remove the left side boot to access the rack teeth.




4. Using the SA9209C , install the inner tie rod assembly onto the steering gear.

Tighten
Tighten the inner tie rod-to-steering gear to 95 N·m (70 lb ft)




5. Slide the shock damper up against the inner tie rod assembly.
6. Install the steering gear boot onto the steering gear.
7. Thread the inner tie rod-to-outer tie rod jam nut onto the inner tie rod.
8. Thread the outer tie rod onto the inner tie rod.
9. Install the steering gear. Refer to Steering Gear procedure in this manual.

Notice: Before installing wheels, remove rust or corrosion from wheel mounting surfaces and brake rotors/drums. Failure to do so can cause wheel nuts to loosen in service.

10. Position the wheel onto hub.
11. Install the wheel bolts and tighten in a crisscross pattern.

•	Hand tighten all 5 wheel bolts.

•	Use a torque wrench to tighten the wheel bolts using a crisscross pattern.

Tighten
Tighten the wheel bolts -- initial torque to 63 N·m (46 lb ft).

•	Use a torque wrench to final tighten the wheel bolts using a crisscross pattern.

Tighten
Tighten the wheel bolts -- final torque to 125 N·m (92 lb ft).

12. Set the toe. Refer to Front Toe Adjustment in Wheel Alignment.
13. Lower the vehicle from the hoist.