The tools necessary to service and repair the Tie Rod include Tie Rod puller (J 6627-A), steering linkage and Tie Rod puller (J 24319-B) and steering linkage installer (J 29193). Start by elevating the vehicle and disconnecting the cotter pin with castellated nut that secures the outer Tie Rod. Inserting a wedge into the joint-area prevents damaging the seal when you avoid breaking the steering linkage connection. You should use the steering linkage and Tie Rod puller (J 24319-B) to extract the outer Tie Rod from the
Steering Knuckle before discarding the prevailing torque nut from the inner Tie Rod. The Tie Rod puller (J 6627-A) permits removal of the inner Tie Rod from the relay rod followed by loosening adjuster tube clamp bolts until the Tie Rod ends can be unscrewed from the adjuster tube. Check the Tie Rod threads as well as the ball stud threads and the adjuster tube for any signs of damage together with the Tie Rod End seals to verify their level of wear. The technician should clean both the ball stud threads and ball stud nut threads and the tapered surfaces. The steering adjuster tube requires lubrication with chassis lubricant when Tie Rod ends are separated from the structure. Attach the Tie Rod ends to the adjuster tube while keeping their threaded count equal to within 3 threads by loosening the clamps. Installing a new prevailing torque nut on the inner Tie Rod requires a torque of 47 nm (35 ft. Lbs.) using the steering linkage installer (J 29193) which fits the inner Tie Rod to the relay rod with the seal positioned correctly. Use a new prevailing torque nut to replace the removed installer on the inner Tie Rod while tightening it to 47 nm (35 ft. Lbs.). The new Steering Knuckle outer Tie Rod should be installed by placing the seal on the stud before tightening the castellated nut to 49 nm (36 ft. Lbs.), followed by insertion and flattening of the cotter pin ends on the nut flats. The last step includes lowering the vehicle while adjusting the toe-in.