Hi guys,

Time to replace the tie rods. All of em. 1996 Civic DX w/ 113K mi.
The service manny indicates turning off the inner tie rod using two wrenches.
Yet, it says to torque the inner tie rod upon replacement to 40ft-lb.
The question: what size is the crow's foot insert on one of those inner tie rod tools
necessary to pop this on and off?


Thanks

 

First of all take the boots off and grab the inner joint to see if the rack wobbles in the end bushings, or on a power rack if there is fluid leaking. In those cases you need a new rack, which conveniently comes with new inner joints already attached.

In any case it is almost impossible to undo those bendable washers and R&R the inner joints with the rack in the car. Take it out and work on the bench.

 

Hi

Thanks for your response.

Its power steering. No fluid leaks in boots.
I found this here shortly after posting the original threadstarter:
https://honda-tech.com/how-tos/a/hon...tie-rod-375885

The author states that the lock washer "should fall out" once the tie rod is loosened.
Several vids at youtube also portray the removal of the inner tie rod with the rack on the car
using an open end wrench and adjustable wrench.

You refer to the lock washer as "bendable". The lock washer is susceptible to bending
while in service, thus more tightly conforming to the inner tie rod surface??

 

The locking washers are bent around into the wrench flats to keep the inner joint from unscrewing. Though you could turn the joint and force them off the problem is that you can't get a wrench on it with the washer there.

 

Hi,

I see your point.

Check out this vid:
He uses an inner tie rod tool, of which the crow's foot insert connects with the
flats on the ball joint housing of the tie rod.