Tie Rod Replacement

Ok, simple fix.

1. Get a replacement adjustment nut.
2. Since the OTR is trash, get a small angle grinder, metal cutting wheel, and cut right through the nut. You only need to cut to the OTR threads. It will probably expand loose at that point.
3. Unscrew OTR with your hand.

Just don't cut the steering rack! I did this exact thing with a castle nut on a OTR (to the knuckle) as the damn thing would spin the tie rod stud no matter what I did. By the time I was half way through the castle nut the heat from cutting expanded the metal enough to bind things up right and allow me to turn it.

You can buy a 4.5" angle grinder from Harbor Freight for 20 some odd bucks, or rent one from the Home Despot for 1.5 to 2x that.

 

Got it figured out. The truck is sitting by my grandfather's house and he grinded the stud down like a bull ret where the threads were messed up and was able to get the nut back on so I can bring it to a shop to get the tie rods done

 

just an FYI the last tie rod I bought from oreilly's came with a new replacement locking nut. I bought a pair and one came packaged with a brand new locking nut and one didn't. both were same exact brand so go figure? but its worth asking the guy to check the boxes when you have a choice.

the nut was a spot on exact OEM match and went right on with ease

 

I already have the new tie rods in my truck. I saw the inner ones had a nut at the end where you put them into the steering rack. Not sure about what the outers had.

 

the outers have a lock nut to hold it in place so they don't turn on the shaft, this can get frozen on if someone cranks it way too tight or from rust, at looking at then it just looks like the end of the outer rod has a hex shape to it but that's the lock nut you are looking at

 

My problem was the adjustment nut being seized. The inner tie rods have a washer that is supposed to be bent when you put them on and theres a nut at the end of it where you put it into the steering rack. The outers only have the castle nut.

 

I wonder if someone returned it with that nut on it? None of the OTRs I have bought from AutoZone came with that nut. And, weirdness abides as for my Taco the color of the OTR was different each side! The driver was silver and the passenger black. Had them check the only two options that seemed available and that was just how it was. Duralast brand. Odd. Maybe the brand O'Reilleys carries comes with it whereas Duralast doesn't. ??

 

Sorry if this is considered highjacking, but while we are on the subject,

Are the inner tie rods the same part left or right on a 98? I see one on Amazon for $9.55 shipped. I need the passenger side but at this price I might as well do both.

Seems like a good price..
http://www.amazon.com/Prime-Choice-...f=dp_return_1?ie=UTF8&n=15684181&s=automotive

 

buy one from rockauto.com and get the ones with red hearts next to them signaling the best value ones of good quality that will last the longest

 

no, it was brand new sealed inside the bag with the castle nut and cotter pin. it was a supplied part with the tie rod

 

they come with the castle nut and pin. I think the nut being referred to is the jam nut you thread on to the solid end of the otr before threading it into the itr. The one you snug up against the itr to keep your alignment from moving. Neither of mine came with the jam nut.

 

that is what I am saying, I got one that came with all 3 items: castle nut, cotter pin, and also came with the jam nut you thread on to the solid end of the inner tie rod before threading the outer tie rod onto it. all 3 were sealed inside the factory sealed and labeled name brand parts bag supplied in the box with the outer tie rod.

I was shocked it was included in the box myself but there it was

 

maybe you just got lucky, idk. I know I wish my driverside one came with a new jam nut. I had to use a pipe wrench to break the old one free, needless to say it don't look very pretty anymore.

 

Yeah, wild keakar, that it came with the jam nut. I've bought OTRs for my daughter's CRV and my Taco now, and none came with that. Score!

 

Hey Brandon, we have the same Taco! Different colors, but same everything else.

 

Ill be doing mine hopefully next week...along with LBJ

 

That was what I did - LBJs and OTRs, although I staggered them a bit due to time and money. PB Blaster is your friend in this job!

 

might as well do the uppers too, they are only $12 each and easy as pie to change

well it didn't look like much so I didn't use it. it looked like a cheap grade nut. its hard to explain but you can kinda tell by looking at it if a nut or bolt is going to last or if it will start to rusty very quickly and that's the way it looked like to me so I just tossed it out with the old parts and reused my originals.

here it is here: http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/d...ck=Search_03448_5168750_-1&pt=03448&ppt=C0203

click the picture and you see it includes the jam nut and grease zerk

 

Did my uppers when I did my lift. I think 10k miles ago, probably less