Inner tie rods

doitdubdoitdub familEE
in Suspension, Braking & Wheels
Hey guys,
What's the best way to see if I need new inner tie rods? My outer tie rods were obviously toast, but being that the inners are a pain in the ass to get off, I'd rather hold off on replacing them if I don't have to. Any input>?

Comments

  • mywagonmywagon Band Wagon
    very easy, hammer the boot rings off w a chisel get a big pair of channel lock pliers and crack it loose, counter clock wise. when putting on the new inner tie rods, be sure to put a little loc tite on the threads. install the outers, and get your vehicle aligned.
  • oxbeardoxbeard Wagonist
    i may actually be able to help on this one! HOORAY!

    when i replaced mine i checked them by,

    jack up one of the front tires off the ground. if lifting the left, turn the wheel to the right far enough that you can see behind it to the tie rod.
    push the rubber boot back over the balljoint. then grab sides of the of the tire and try to turn it left and right. if the tie rod is bad you will be able to the see and feel the balljoint moving in and out of its socket just a little bit.

    sometimes its harder to tell what exactly is moving when there are several things that are loose.
    like in my eg sedan. when i did this on that one, the wheel would move almost an inch or more in any direction. so i just replaced every single thing that attached it to the car ahaha
    did alllll bushings, tie rods, and balljoints.
  • BrakeExpertBrakeExpert New Wagonist
    The inner ones on my EK were a pain. Not sure if its the same for you, but set aside some time, as I had to disconnect the LCA (dropped it, not completely removed.) I got an adjustable wrench (a bit one as this needed like a 32mm slot) to hold the rack, and another big wrench to grab the tie rod. Assume you are going to break that funky looking washer (check an online store for OEM honda parts to check this.) If you don't have power steering, the wrenches may be smaller, but to check if they are dying:

    Jack up only one front wheel off the ground. grab hold of the wheel and try and rock it side to side (left and right). If there is a noise that sounds like something tapping, and if there is any play, check that inner tie rod boot to see if its ripped. If so, then its probably worn and has play and will need a replacement.
  • NengchangNengchang New Wagonist
    Any time u change the outer tie rod it's not
    a bad idea to change both. For and old car
    u shoul have to change both save some time and money.
    U can rent the tool at auto zone I belive to take
    out the inner tie rod.
  • doitdubdoitdub familEE
    Nengchang wrote:
    Any time u change the outer tie rod it's not
    a bad idea to change both. For and old car
    u shoul have to change both save some time and money.
    U can rent the tool at auto zone I belive to take
    out the inner tie rod.
    No special tool needed. Just wrench, flat screwdriver/chisel, hammer.

    Main question was to see how one would know if inner tie rods are bad, instead of just changing them for changing's sake. I ended up changing them when I swapped out the steering rack for non power steering anyway.

    Thanks for the posts anyway guys, someone should be able to use this info in the future.
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