sylin
New CEG'er
Just thought this could be useful....
I was able to change the inner tie rods on both side with the inner tie rod removal tool as shown in the picture without having to remove the rack. My car is 97 Contour Sport with v6 and stick. I used a 1/2" breaker bar and an 8" extension to work with the removal tool, and it was a piece of cake, at least for the removal and installation part.
Getting the dust boot off and on was a little tricky, especially on the passenger side where little space is available. I used a small flat head screw driver to undo the clamp, and sprayed a little bit of engine oil as I worked the boot off the rack and the breather tube trying not to use force and tear the thing. That little bit of oil also helped the breather tube slide into the port on the boot during the re-installation. I used a nylon cable tie to clamp the boot down on the rack casing.
Nothing could be used to hold on the rack when removing or torque up the tie rod. There is simply no space for a wrench, and on the passenger side the rack is a perfect round shaft beside lacking space. I try to remember the removal tool magnifies the torque and try to go easy with it.
Hope this can help.
I was able to change the inner tie rods on both side with the inner tie rod removal tool as shown in the picture without having to remove the rack. My car is 97 Contour Sport with v6 and stick. I used a 1/2" breaker bar and an 8" extension to work with the removal tool, and it was a piece of cake, at least for the removal and installation part.
Getting the dust boot off and on was a little tricky, especially on the passenger side where little space is available. I used a small flat head screw driver to undo the clamp, and sprayed a little bit of engine oil as I worked the boot off the rack and the breather tube trying not to use force and tear the thing. That little bit of oil also helped the breather tube slide into the port on the boot during the re-installation. I used a nylon cable tie to clamp the boot down on the rack casing.
Nothing could be used to hold on the rack when removing or torque up the tie rod. There is simply no space for a wrench, and on the passenger side the rack is a perfect round shaft beside lacking space. I try to remember the removal tool magnifies the torque and try to go easy with it.
Hope this can help.