hey i was wondering if anyone has any experience in replacing the outer tie rod by themselves. what tools were needed and how did you get the alignment to be ok…so you could drive it to a local shop to get it fixed. much help appreciated.
Outer tie rod is easy, as long as you can get the joint to separate.
It’s pressed together, so you might need a pickle fork (it’s like a giant claw/chisel) to get it apart and not destroy the bushing.
They’re not expensive and something that comes in really handy for suspension.
You can probably get away with just hammering and jumping up and down on it, but why waste the time/skin and risk ruining it?
Once you get it separated use some liquid paper or paint to mark the threads on the inner tie rod. Basically just paint on the threads where the tie rod is screwed in up to. This way when you screw the new one on, you can put it right back to where it was. Then at least the car will be close enough to drive it safely to get an alignment done.
You might as well change the boot while you’re in there too.