**** keeps breaking on this car and these 2 are on the way out, couldnt get an alignment. Do I need any special tools like a press or anything?

 

Yeah a machine shop can press the joint out as well as a new one in for around $15. You need the SPECIFIC inner tie-rod tool for the Maxima, the generic ones have been proven not to work. It's just a long tube that reaches the nut

 

perhaps you should just get new lower control arms, thats what i did.

 

i would just do the new LCA be careful not to snap one off the gusset bolts (plate that holds up the bushing to the steering craddel (it only took me bout 45 min to swap one side out, the other side is the where one of the bolts snapped on me.....also make sure you label the bolts there are two longs and one short) For the inner tie rod, have the mecahnic do it its a pain in the aasssssss to do

 

Why? Ball-joints are like $40 If the LCA isn't terribly rusted and the bushings are decent not really much reason to replace it. I do agree if the bushings look suspect to swap the whole arm. The inner tie rod isn't a big deal with the right tool.

 

reason why i said new LCA is considering if they have been replaced or not..if not i would just change them out anyways for wear and tear purposes (depending on teh area that he lives in), if not than like Fr33way said to just get a ball joint seperateor and DIY, for me (not saying that you guys had the same problem) my inner rods were stock and didn't budge one bit when i tryed to take them off myself with the tool from the dealership.
so i had them do for me.

but what ever you decide to do let us know how it goes!!

 

LCA's and inner tie rods write up in my sig

 

The write-up is great...

question: Any chance this tool (saginaw tie rod tool) will work, or should I just bite the bullet & buy the Lisle tool (or anyone in boston willing to loan it out?).

Also - is it recommended to change the tie rod end when replacing the inner tie rod?

Thanks
Jeff

 

no that tool will not work, its not big enough, its actually really difficult to find that tool i went to nissan and borrowed it from a mechanic, also for tie rods measure out how much they are screwed in with a marker or something or you will have the worst alignment after that

 

Pepboys sells them. That is the only place I could find the tie rod remover. It like $60 bucks. I bought it used it carefully and then returned it with no problems.

 

Its from Napa, the included bolt is too short, so I got a longer one at the hardware store.

 

Well I ended up buying the Lisle tool...worked like a charm with a nice breaker bar...but of course - a question (& hopefully not an issue): there's no lock plate that I can locate on the old tie rod or the rack...my car is an 2003...please tell me the G5's had no lock plate. No mention of one in the service manual has me thinking I'm good (there isn't one).

Thanks
Jeff