Tools Required

J 34028 Inner Tie Rod Wrench

1. Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle with suitable safety stands. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly from the vehicle. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
3. Remove the rack and pinion boot. Refer to Steering Gear Boot Replacement - On Vehicle .

Notice: Do not change the rack bearing preload adjustment before removing the inner tie rod from the steering rack. This could cause damage to the pinion or the steering rack or both.

4. Remove the shock dampener (2) from the inner tie rod (5).
5. Slide the shock dampener (2) back onto the rack (1).

Important: Do not hold the steering rack while removing the inner tie rod if the preload adjustment has not been changed.

6. Remove the inner tie rod (5) from the rack assembly (1) as follows:

6.1.	Place a wrench on the flats of the inner tie rod housing (4)

6.2.	Rotate the inner tie rod housing (4) counterclockwise until the inner tie rod (5) separates from the rack.




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

Important: Make sure the shock dampener is on the rack before installing the inner tie rod.

The threads must be clean prior to the Loctite® application. Check the Loctite®, or equivalent, container for expiration date. Use only enough Loctite® to evenly coat the threads.



1. Apply Loctite® 262, or equivalent, to the inner tie rod threads (2).
2. Install the inner tie rod (3) to the rack and pinion (1).




Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

3. Install a torque wrench (5) to the J 34028 to tighten the inner tie rod (6).

Hold the rack while tightening the tie rod as shown.

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




4. Slide the shock dampener (2) over the inner tie rod housing (3) until the front lip of the shock dampener bottoms out against the inner tie rod housing.
5. Install the rack and pinion boot. Refer to Steering Gear Boot Replacement - On Vehicle .
6. Install the tire and wheel assembly to the vehicle. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
7. Remove the safety stands.
8. Lower the vehicle.
9. Check the wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement in Wheel Alignment.