Tie Rod: Installation
- 1.NOTE: Place the steering gear at the center position and hold the steering gear rack while loosening or tightening the inner tie rod. Use an appropriate-sized wrench on the flat/teeth of the rack to resist rotation and to prevent damage during removal of the inner tie rod.NOTE: Use an assistant to hold the steering gear rack on the LH side when servicing the RH inner tie rod.NOTE: Crowfoot-style inner tie-rod tool shown.
Install the tie rod. Use the General Equipment: Tie Rod Remover and Installer
Torque
: 61 lb.ft (83 Nm)
- 2.NOTE: Make sure to install the O-ring seal provided with the bellows boot kit or a leak may occur.
Install the O-ring seal provided with the bellows boot kit.
- 3.
Apply the specified grease to the steering gear-to-bellows boot mating surface and bellows boot groove on the inner tie-rod.Material
: Motorcraft ® Premium Long-Life Grease / XG-1-E1 (ESA-M1C75-B)
- 4.NOTE: Make sure the steering gear bellows is positioned correctly over the steering gear housing bead and the grooves in the inner tie-rod casting.
- 5.NOTE: Make sure the end of the steering gear bellows boot is positioned between the 2 grooves on the inner tie rod or an internal leak may occur.
Install the new steering gear bellows boot and new clamps. Use the General Equipment: Boot Clamp Pliers
- 7.NOTE: Install the outer tie rod the same number of turns recorded during removal.
- 1.
Install the outer tie rod end nut.Torque
: 35 lb.ft (48 Nm)
- 2.
Tighten the tie rod end jam nut.Torque
: 66 lb.ft (90 Nm)
- 1.
- 9.
Install the wheel and tire. Refer to: Wheel and Tire
- 10.
Connect the battery ground cable. Refer to: Battery Disconnect and Connect
- 11.
Check and if necessary, adjust front toe. Refer to: Front Toe Adjustment