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+---- Thread: Tie Rod swap (/thread-2418.html)
Tie Rod swap - Twitchin Kitten - 06-26-2011
Wish Matt luck. Today after he hangs a TV for someone he's coming home and changing a busted tie rod on the truck. I'll take it to the shop for an alignment tomorrow or something but he's never done this before. Let's hope it goes smoothly or I'm stuck until the auto parts or mechanics open tomorrow!
RE: Tie Rod swap - twisteroo - 06-26-2011
I did this kinda shit once, count the turns taking one out, count the turns putting the other one back together and hope for the best.
RE: Tie Rod swap - Havoc - 06-26-2011
It takes a special tool called a pickle fork to seperate the tie rod end from the spindle, it is almost impossible to do without damaging the spindle any other way.
counting the turns will get you close.
RE: Tie Rod swap - twisteroo - 06-26-2011
I'm better at bicycles than cars.
RE: Tie Rod swap - Twitchin Kitten - 06-26-2011
Counting the turns worked. I have one of those pickle fork things - looks similar to a short tuning fork. I thought it was for taking off ball joints. We just did what Mike said to do - bang the fuck out of it with my 10# mini sledge. did the trick.
The truck is fixed. The steering wheel may need a tweak in a day or so but he did the work faster than swapping out those two batteries over the winter!
No need for an alignment. We did the rod that only affected the steering wheel, not the one that affects the tires. Inner tie rod I think it is called.
We did the work together. We're greasy, dirty and the shower felt like heaven. I'm exhausted and I just want to chill for the night.
RE: Tie Rod swap - LH - 06-26-2011
I must be getting old, after swapping out a pool pump, mowing the lawn and weeding the garden I feel like puking. But this cold beer is making me feel better.
RE: Tie Rod swap - Twitchin Kitten - 06-26-2011
I'm with you LH. I'm "over tired" now.
I weeded the garden before I even got out of PJ's today. Then cleaned the house and thought I should do the lawn for Matt since he's going to do the truck after hanging two TV's. Little did I know that I'd be right there getting greasy with him too.
I liked it better when I had a ton of money to send the truck out to be fixed. I stay cleaner that way! I'm too tired to even go out around the corner for an ice cream. Right now I could use one.
RE: Tie Rod swap - Rhubarb - 06-27-2011
Is it fixed?
RE: Tie Rod swap - Twitchin Kitten - 06-27-2011
Yes!
RE: Tie Rod swap - LKTraz - 06-28-2011
Actually both inner and outer tie rods will affect steering but the outers are a bit more crucial to adjusting the toe.