Inner/outer tie rod endlink replacement

chvythndr · October 3, 2005

Can anyone give me some pointers to replacing my driver side tie rod endlinks? I bought new inner/outer ends last week and plan to throw them on next weekend. How hard of a job is this? Thanks!

GM-Tech · October 3, 2005

They're pretty easy. They just unscrew, but you'll need a big enough wrench and you'll have to get the outer one out of the knuckle. It's a taper fit, so even once the nut is off, it doesn't just fall out of there. We have a puller, but a big hammer and some appropriately placed whacks on the right spot of the knuckle and it'll usually drop right out. I prefer the puller method or even a pickle fork, but if you're in a pinch, the hammer works okay.

chvythndr · October 4, 2005

They're pretty easy. They just unscrew, but you'll need a big enough wrench and you'll have to get the outer one out of the knuckle. It's a taper fit, so even once the nut is off, it doesn't just fall out of there. We have a puller, but a big hammer and some appropriately placed whacks on the right spot of the knuckle and it'll usually drop right out. I prefer the puller method or even a pickle fork, but if you're in a pinch, the hammer works okay.

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Thanks. What kind of puller should I use? Although, this might be that good excuse I've been lookin' for to buy that air hammer and pickle fork

Also, how do I get the new one in, hammer it?

GM-Tech · October 4, 2005

Also, how do I get the new one in, hammer it?

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No, no, no! Just put it in and torque the nut to pull it in place. 37 lb ft for 1500's, 48 lb ft for 2500/3500.

The puller we use is one specificially for this purpose. Don't know if you could buy something like that around town, but any appropriate two-legged puller should work.