Inner Tie Rod: Installation

NOTE: The steering gear rack must be held while loosening or tightening the inner tie rod or damage to the steering gear may occur. Place the steering gear at the center position. Use an appropriate-sized wrench on the flat/teeth of the rack to resist rotation and to prevent damage during removal of the inner tie rod.

NOTE: An assistant will be needed to hold the steering gear rack on the Left Hand (LH) side when servicing the Right Hand (RH) inner tie rod.

1.
Using an appropriate-sized crowfoot wrench, install the inner tie rod.
- Tighten to 120 Nm (89 lb-ft).

NOTE: Position the inner end of the steering gear bellows boot correctly over the steering gear housing bead and position the outer end ID bead on the groove of the inner tie rod or an internal leak can result.

NOTE: Apply the specified grease to the bellows boot groove on the inner tie rod.

2.
Install the new steering gear bellows boot.

3.

Using the Boot Clamp Pliers, install a new inner bellows boot clamp.

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY

4.

Install a new outer bellows boot clamp.

5.

Thread the tie-rod jam nut onto the inner tie rod.

NOTE: Install the outer tie-rod end the same number of turns as recorded during the removal.

6.
Install the outer tie-rod end.

NOTE: Make sure that the tie-rod end boots are seated correctly on the tie-rod ends or failure may occur.

7.
Connect the outer tie-rod end to the wheel knuckle and install a new tie-rod end nut.
- Tighten the new nut to 115 Nm (85 lb-ft).

8.

Tighten the tie-rod jam nut.
- Tighten to 103 Nm (76 lb-ft).

9.

Check and if necessary, adjust the front toe. Refer to Suspension System - General Information .