I see how that tool works. So you just blast it off with an airtool plus that special tool? How do you support the rack against the pinion? Won't the force of using that without holding the rack shaft damage the guts of the rack teeth to pinion?

No, you don't use an air tool unless you plan on buying a new tool. Just use a large 1/2" drive ratchet or breaker bar.

Looks like you have enough room to swing a pipe wrench. Put the pipe wrench on the inner tie rod housing. Most of us have done hundreds of inner tie rod replacements in the vehicle and haven't snapped a rack gear. If you can break a rack attempting to unscrew a tie rod, then something is seriously wrong with the rack.

What ever you do, don't put any heat on that unless you want to buy a new rack. Plus you get it too hot and you'll make the steel brittle as glass.

I've been known to use a large pipe wrench on the tie rod end too.


Desi's been known to use a large pipe wrench on other things as well..... a few certain spammers come to mind..

The pic looks like the steering gear is on the ground or on a workbench. if so, you can use an open end wrench of the proper size or a pipe wrench if necessary but you'll need to secure the unit to something in order to break the nut loose. They ure usually pretty tight. Use caution if mounting it in a vise to not break the housing.

Inner or outer - both? Requires alignment when finished too. Tools required - possibly rentable,

T

What's the year, make and model?

It's a 2003 Explorer 4L (not-sport) 2WD

To add; Takes a special socket to reinstall and tighten. (the socket is apprx. 18" long and a bit spendy)

Thank you, Loren, for your reply.

I was not familiar with the method of attachment. I was replacing the ball joints and tie rod end.
The inner rod felt excessively loose, and I thought I had done something wrong.

My pulse and blood pressure are back to normal now, so, thanks again.

? Have you determined tire wear is because of tie rod ends - those don't generally wear tires unless so bad they wobble and about to fall off/out. Replacing a good one (some will disagree with this) doesn't make it better. Good is good, replacements can be junk.


OK - because of the bellows can be at least a little tricky so see just where free play is for inners. Is anything else not right about rack suspension, and the bar right down from the steering wheel?


Same feel both old and new one? Something doesn't add up. Suggests it wasn't bad to begin with?


T

Thanks for your reply. I have not determined that tie rod end caused tire wear. Bar from steering wheel appears tight. I agree that maybe there was no problem in the first place, just that there was play on drivers side and no play on passenger side. Maybe it wasn't broke and I fixed it anyway? Thanks for your help.

If you installed that stuff correctly, there cannot be any play there so you may be actually moving the steering gear internally or maybe your play could be a wheel bearing or something else.

You'd think if there was internal play in the rack, you would see it on the passenger side too when your checking for play in its tie rod? How are the rack bushings? Can you move the rack pushing on it with your hands? You'd think inner tread wear on one tire would be a camber issue.

I think replacing the Rack is not something I can do. Is there a way to test it, or should I just bite the bullet and take it to a shop? Thanks again
Add'l info: no fluid leaks and rack is not loose against chassis.

You'll need this aligned when all set anyway - places I know ALL do and want front end work as well.
One extra thing for the alignment is if tires are really all worn differently it really won't help with the best alignment - not tire wearing just not as perfect as could be,


T

Has this vehicle been in an accident and had front end damage?

Yes, about a year ago it was hit pretty hard on front passenger side.

Accident damage can't be contained into exactly what damage happened to everything and this issue probably does stem from that and now past the "unseen" damage grace period for anywhere I know of.


No telling what was harmed in the rack in this case that wasn't noticed at that time or all tested good. You said tire(s) aren't wearing evenly which if that is since the fix for accident damage it wasn't done too well was it?


If you were paying strict attention to tire wear and the clues they leave lots more than just a car the pulls left or right you should have brought that up long ago now.
With this new snag in the mix now I suspect the rack is the problem or tires all mix matched before or after the accident so you are starting from square one again.


A good alignment shop will check a ton of things including tire pressure and suspension parts all tight and can be put in range or norms after an accident. This includes proper even tires too.


Now for all I know or we know this car is so bent maybe it needed frame straightening or being totaled out? Can't know, alignment machine should show plenty you aren't going to see by eye,


T

Thanks to all of you for your help. Will go to shop for repair.

Yes, about a year ago front end was hit pretty hard on passenger side. Damage was repaired