Hello guys, I have been looking for any pics of replacing the Outer Tie Rod for2gs400 '98 on this forum, but I was unable to find anything except the pics of replacing the Lower Ball Joint. How hard is to take out the part? I already ordered the parts from Carson Toyota, and it should be coming sometime this week if they don't F*** up my order. I also look at the DIY links and couldn't find anything related to the Outer Tie Rod replacing pics nor instructions. Can you guys help me out how to change this part, pls? I have read that we need to do the aligment after the installation of the rod. Then I am thinking I should wait since I am going to replace my struts/lower springs anyway so that I can just do the aligment in one shot. Also, is there any special too I should know of or buying to make the job easier for removing the Outer Tie Rod? Pls, need help guys. I don't want the steeler to do it, they charge me too much. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks guys.

 

Its pretty simple....however, you will need a pitman arm puller to separate the outer tie rod from the lower ball joint. Removing the tie rod is simple...make sure you mark the threads of the current location of the tie rods...remove with open end wrenches....the markings will help you when installing the new tie rods.

 

thats right.. pick up a tie rod puller from your local AZ($1 cheaper) or kragens and get it started... gl with it..

 

I just did this mod to my car this past two weekends and will share my experience.

1) First if you have not already, you need to look at these two threads.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/show...nt+replacement
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/show...wer+ball+joint

2) I changed the drivers side in 15 min. you need the arm puller mentioned above, and you need a good set of crecent wrenches. The main problem is leverage in the wheel well area. I would reccomend using nail polish/sharpie to mark the alignment of your steering rack arms before you disconnect the original tie rods. I had to turn the tie rod away from the middle alignment nut to get mine off. My middle alignment nut was so rusted on that it did not move (Hence making it a great place to torque from. You will understand when you get down there.

3) The B$%* of the job however was the nut on my passenger side tie rod end. It had rusted/fused to the lower balljoint and tie rod end bolt.. I was using an impact wrench, pliers, normal c wrenches, and I unceremoniously stripped the nut and could not make it move. I was so annoyed that I drilled into the nut, as it was falling apart anyway. That did not work either. I ended up borrowing a friends tool.... have no clue what its called but it was a cutting tool that I used to cut off the tie rod from the LBJ. It took me a while to cut the nut and was throwing lots of sparks everywhere.

A few tips....
1) BUY AN IMPACT GUN... this thing is worth is weight in gold. It works great getting the brake calipers off and also the Tie rod end nut. I would have never been able to get enought leverage in the small space without it.

2) Its as easy as turning the tie rod end away from the seering rack. Yeah right... it was a pain trying to make the tie rod end move with the limited leverage. I ended up bracing a longer wrench against the shocks/axle area and twisting my other wrench against this.

Sorry I dont have any pics for you, but the two threads above do a pretty good job.

I have 130k on my car, and if your anywhere close to that mileage I would reccomend using lots of WD40 when you are taking stuff off.


Have fun.

 

Thanks a lot guys, sound like it is not that easy to change the rod. I have the stealer replaced the lower ball joint not too long ago like almost two months and aligments as well. I hope the nuts is not rush it or fuse as you mention on yours. I couldn't open the two links for some reason. I have the impact gun, except the puller tool which I am going to buy it this week end. The stealer wants $235 for aligment and 1 hr of labor. I will try to take some pics if I am going to do this job myself this week end, otherwise, I will have the local shop does it. How do you connect back the ball between the lower ball joint and the out tie rod, if you use the puller to pull out that ball? Any other tool snap it in place? What online vendors do you guys mostly order your parts from? This is my first time order from Carson Toyota, and I just call them. They don't F***king have my parts yet and not to mention they put me on hold for 10 mins, I ordered yesterday. Any better online site where I can purchase parts next time without the hassle? Off topic a little bit guys . I will update this weekend how it goes. Thanks so much folks. You are the greatest on this forum. I gain a lots of knowledge about DIY.

 

Try this link:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sus...-pictures.html

I would not say that this job is difficult if all your parts are in good order, it sounds like you have the right tools outside of the tie rod end separator. Putting it back in the ball joint is Super easy. You just put the tie rod end back into the ball joint and screw the nut on. Like I said the drivers side took 15 min when everything cooperated and came off easy.

Have fun.