Went to change the Inner Tie Rod End on the TF Magna and it looks like you need to take the Steering Rack out...there is no access to get a pipe wrench on the round end of the Tie Rod that connects to the Rack.

Looked at You-Tube videos, and most American videos show a special tool that you can use to grab the Inner Tie Rod and remove it. Looks quite simple if you have the tool.

The TF Tie Rod end is round, it has no flats, so I can't understand how such a tool would work on a Magna.

Can anyone tell me how to do it?

I think I will just get the Tie Rod replaced when I get the tyres replaced and wheel aligned - but I would like to know how its done.

Thanks!

Replaced one on a second gen without taking the rack off the car. It has a lock washer with a bit that bends over to lock, and a flat section on the round section for the locking tab and possibly a spanner. Lack of room meant I used a pipe wrench anyway. A small strap wrench would have been ideal if they were available, or strong enough. lol

Third gen manual shows me there may not be a flat section on the tie rod inner ball joint, it shows a pipe or monkey wrench type of attachment on a torque wrench to do the joint up to 88 Nm. Needs to be staked down to lock it. Sounds like the rack has to come out.

Thanks Mad Max, I have the replacement Inner Tie Rod End, there are no flats on the ball joint section that threads into the Rack.

It obviously needs some type of special tool to R & R. I don't think a Strap Wrench would be able to apply 88N/m torque - thats pretty substantial.

Nothing easy on modern cars these days!

Thanks for the input

It obviously needs some type of special tool to R & R.


An ordinary plumber's pipe wrench would do it, provided you could get adequate access. Some loctite on it when doing it up to the same force when removing would be ok.
Access is the problem I imagine.
Unfortunately the manual shows the process with the rack off the car, no hint as to the possibility of doing it with the rack on the car.

The tool shown in the manual is basically a pipe wrench that can be attached to a torque wrench.

You Tube has some interesting videos of a special tool that you can use with a rattle gun - if the Tie Rod end has a flat so the spanner devices that fit into the tool can straddle the flats on the Tie Rod End.

I'll update the post when I get it done with what I have learnt - fingers crossed it's not a Rack out job - that would be cruel...

I found a torn RHS tie rod boot on my car. Watching this thread with interest as i'll need to replace it at some point
Or do I only need to remove the outer tie rod to replace the boot?

I found a torn RHS tie rod boot on my car. Watching this thread with interest as i'll need to replace it at some point
Or do I only need to remove the outer tie rod to replace the boot?

Yep, just the outer end needs removing. Count the number of turns needed to get it off so you can put it back the same, otherwise you need a wheel alignment.
Remove old boot, clean end of tie rod - it has a ball joint - and whack in some grease. New boot, and off you go. I'm assuming there is no play in that ball joint, otherwise you need to replace the actual tie rod.

If people kept a close eye on the 6 boots under the front end, and replaced boots as soon as they let go, there would be no need for buying new drive-shafts or extracting racks. lol