Sheesh - I'm having a MF of a time removing mine!

So, two dumb questions:

1. Do the OEM OTR's have a SEPARATE lock nut on the spindle, or is it INTEGRATED onto the OTR shaft?? --if separate, shouldn't it losen separately from the OTR end with the ball joint??--

2. When removing said lock nut (assuming there IS one), do you turn it clockwise (right) or counter-clockwise (left) to losen it?!?!?
I know-iknow! "rightie-tightie" -- but since this is somewhat "backwards" and on threaded shaft, I'm just not sure.
I understand that the OTR should "unscrew" off of the Inner Tie Rod shaft, once the lock nut is loosened...

Mine are so frozen -- I can't even TELL which way is correct, and I've second-guessed myself into stupidity!

I even tried HEATING one of the lock-nuts --- no budge!

Help me out - I'm stumped!

Anybody got a foolproof method for get the OTR off the Inner TieRods??

thks,
gr

 

There is a nut you remove on the lower ball joint.

You are referring to the lock nut between the inner and outter? If so, you need to make sure the outter is still in the spindle or else the whole assembly will just spin.

Take your wrench turn the nut like you are tightening it onto the inner. So, if you are doing your passenger side tie rod, you will turn the nut clockwise towards the front of the vehicle, and clock wise for the drivers side.

 

Yeah - THAT's what I meant.
I DO still have the OTR in the spindle....I'm not QUITE that non-mechanical.

So: CLOCKWISE for BOTH Sides then?!

Dam, but these things Are STUCK hard!!
I honestly don't know if I'll be able to break 'em.

thanks for the reply VQ~.

gr

 

If you didn't catch my ninja edit, I changed it so you turn the nut clockwise on both sides. I remember having to put my wrench on it then striking it with the sledge hammer to break it loose.

 

Yeah - caught it....late!
Thanks.
So far -- the hammer AIn'T workin'!!

gr

 

Ok - it took a pair of Vice Grips and an Eight lb. sledge hammer!!!
Clockwise it WAS.

Messed-up one of the jam nuts pretty bad, but it still works.
Got the OTR's swapped, and good to go.

Thanks for the help VQPOWAH!

 

with the car in the stands, put the car jack in the spindle tryng to take the preesure out of the tie rod and use visegrips to loosen the nut othewise is goin to be to ard to take it out and to loosen up you have to work clockwise (right) i hope this help....good luck

 

JOB IS DONE -- thanks for the help guys.

 

My outer tie rods are leaking. How long should this take to replace? My tire shop quoted me $120 for the labor. If I can knock this out in 2 hours, I'll take a stab at it.

Experience: I've done shocks/struts, sway bar endlinks and brakes before.

 

Outer tie rod should not take more then 30 mins. That's counting jacking up the car and taking the wheel off.

When I replaced mine, there was zero lube left in it.

 

Yeah - the jam nuts on mine were HELLA tight....other than that, a simple job.

Gotta do the INNERS this spring....wish I did them WITH the outers, cuz now I'll have to go BACK and get another alignment.

Good thing I bought a 3yr alignment!

gr

 

Yes very simple repair, PB Blaster should help with any rust holding it.

 

Panther **** didn't even "tickle" that stinkin' jamb nut on mine!

alls good now-- will replace those when i install the inners.
They're a mess after the vice grips and sledge hammer.

gr

 

Just finished doing mine, what a PITA!.

 

im assuming ill need to do mine soon. i can steer the car with the gas pedal!

 

Where did you guys order yours from? I'm trying to get the moog one. The local Kragen (now O'riely) said their warehouse doesn't carry them and wasn't able to order.

 

order from the advance auto site and pick up at the store, you wont find them cheaper. Use coupon code LC123 at checkout, that'll give you $16 off your $40 purchase.

 

Got mine from Rock Auto, cheapest I could find.

 

Just ordered outer tie rods and ball joints from rock auto. Came out $20 less than advance auto. Both sites had great prices, thanks for the suggestions.

 

Advance's were $24 before taxes, how much were rockauto's?

Plus the fact you could pick them up immediately...

 

No advances near me where I live. Is that price for moog? I also bought ball joints too. 2 x K90459 and 2x ES3438 for $150.xx shipped.

 

yes, thats for moog. Advance would be ~$130 shipped using the coupon code provided, granted you'd have to do 2 transactions. Maybe this will be helpful for future org purchasers.

 

doh, not sure how I missed that. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

Seems Advance Auto Parts is more of an East Coast thing.