The shop manual says that if the inner tie rods are out of spec in any way that the entire steering rack needs to be replaced.

Now, the inner tie rods are obviously not a permanent part of the rack assembly - they are threaded on with a staked washer to lock them. They have wrench lands on the base of the rods and on the rack assembly.
So, my question is: has anyone removed them and, if so, how did you do it? I can't get them to budge with any reasonable amount of torque. And, as per the statement above, the FSM has no instructions for removing them.

They are sold as a separate part (F151-32-240), so I know someone has the secret.

 

Perhaps you need some type of breaker bar/wrench w/handle extension? It won't be reasonable, but it might do the trick...

 

I can get enough torque on it if I want to. But I don't want to break it if simply torquing it is not what it needs.

 

From the way you describe it, it sounds like every tie rod/steering rack I've changed them on. Never an 8 though, but it usually takes a good ammount of muscle. Also if they sell them seperatly I would be willing to bet the whole rack doesn't need to be replaced at the same time.

 

not sure if it's applicable for the 8, but it's all i could find
did see the use of a lock washer in there, so maybe that's what is making it such a PITA?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPSa-L529Ac

 

and another

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJpuz-gf9pA&NR=1

 

The "knuckles" of the inner tie-rod are actually exposed. I don't need a tie-rod tool.
They simply wont unscrew and I'd rather not destroy a perfectly good rack if there is some trick (like left-handed threads or something similar).

BTW, I don't know what is worse - the first guy's Parkinson's or the second guy's Noo HampShah accent.

 

So far I haven't seen left hand thread but like I said never done an 8 either, I'd bet it's the lock washer doing it's job.

You could try calling or going to auto zone or something similar see if they have a Mitchell on demand you could try looking there for more info on it the FSM doesn't. Not sure but it's possible.

 

It has been months since I did it, but I've removed them and I don't recall it being that bad. Actually, I think I even did it on a rack that was sitting on the floor with normal wrenches. So, sounds like something is wrong with yours, maybe someone got crazy with red thread-locker somewhere.

 

^^ Thanks! That is exactly what I needed to see/know!

 

I just did mine last week, the outer end was seized...I pulled them off the rack to make it easier to unstick the ends.... came apart OK

 

I am doing it right now, it isnt bad, but there is a washer on the other end that holds it onto the rack

 

Doing the inner and outer ones tomorrow. Anyone know the ft lbz on the inner tie rod?