Replacing Rod Ends On A Rack System

[MikeInCtown]

My 04 Sierra supposedly has rack type steering. I need to replace the inner and outer on the drivers side today. I have new parts in hand and they look fairly simple. yesterday while under the truck I noticed a large rubber boot and figured I would just remove and replace on the new unit.

 

Is there anything special to this? Is thre anything that I should be aware of before I do this and any special tools needed? The process looks straightforward and simple, but everytime I think that's how it should be, i always find myself needing a mechanic. (normally rust related) The harder stuff is most often easy for me.

 

-Mike

[AirForceAngler]

Measure the exposed threads on the old rod ends before you take them apart then put the new ones back close to that. This will get your alignment close enough to get to an alignment shop soon after you're done.

[MikeInCtown]

Thanks for the suggestion. In the past with the regular type I would just pop everything off as a set and lay the new stuff on the ground next to the old.

 

With these I was going to take some white paint and make a mess on the exposed threads. Once I got the inner off I could reassemble and then go from there. Your idea makes more sense though because I have to install the inner before the outer anyway.

 

I also found I need the special tool for the OE ends. The new end has 4 flats but the original has 2. Autozone has the adapter for the flats and a long 1/2" adapter that slides right over the old rod end so I can use a breaker bar to loosen. As long as I can get the boot off easy enough it shouldn't be too hard. Will be working on it later.

[MikeInCtown]

Well, most everyting came apart easy enough until I tried seperating the inner and outer rod ends. They appear rusted together. The tool I have will not work without the outer removed so I'm going to try heating the outer tomorrow with a torch and cooling the inner with the can of air upside down. If that doesn't break the rust I'll have to figure out what other tool I may be able to use. Everything was coming apart so easy until then. lol.

[txab]

Well, most everyting came apart easy enough until I tried seperating the inner and outer rod ends. They appear rusted together. The tool I have will not work without the outer removed so I'm going to try heating the outer tomorrow with a torch and cooling the inner with the can of air upside down. If that doesn't break the rust I'll have to figure out what other tool I may be able to use. Everything was coming apart so easy until then. lol.

 

Spray PB Blaster on the threads