Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Maintenance Ouch! Is this really necessary??!!??

I have a '98 SVT contour with 145,000 mi on it and bought all of the suspension bits to do a complete front end rebuild...including inner tie rod ends. I finally got around to reviewing instructions on replacement - you gotta remove the entire rack??? Yikes! Looking at the instructions for that....support engine (hoist, I presume), disconnect everything, drop the subframe...yadda, yadda.

wow! what'd I get myself into? Anyone done this and done it without lowering the subframe?

I've been told it's very rare to have to change the inner tie rod ends on the contour's. Have it checked to see if its even worth it. I found a shop that quoted me 1.5hrs labor per side; they weren't going to remove the rack because they had a special tool to do it.

For things of this sort I am ok with the if it ain't broke don't fix it.