I am in need of advice RE: the degree of difficulty (one to ten) to replace the passenger side tie rod on a manual steering CAM gear steering rack. I've read two "repair manuals", but as many of you know, these type publications often overly simplify the task at hand in order to save page space. If anyone has personal experience on this repair, by virtue of having done such a repair, I would certainly appreciate receiving direction/help from you. Perhaps the most difficult part is that of seperating the tie rod outer end from the steering knuckle without the use of a special tool. Also, to unscrew the inner joint from the rack do I absolutely need a 32 MM open end wrench, or could I use an adjustable Crescent wrench? (In other words, is the "flat" on the tie rod inner end wide enough to get an adjustable wrench on it? I am the original owner (have all the purchasing papers) and the car is a real driver. Thanks!

At the junkyard the other day I removed an inner tie rod by first taking off the bolt from the outter tie rod, then giving the tie rod a good sidways whack with a small hammer. It pops right off.

As Mr. Haire pointed out, pull back the bellows to expose the knuckle of the inner tie rod.

Next, use a thin screwdriver and small hammer to gently tap the flaps of the retaining washer until they are upward and off the flats of the knuckle.

Then go ahead and use your adjstable wrench on the flats to unscrew the inner tie rod.

Re-grease the joint when installing the new rod.

It's only about a 3, and pretty clean at that. You should invest $15 in the lever/press type separator from JC Whitney. It is just, loosen the tie rod end lock nut, separated the tie rod end joint, pull the boot back and get the locking pliers on the inner joint to break it free. Transfer the tie rod end or replace it too on the new tie rod, keeping the length as close as possible, and put it back. Do one side at a time to keep your steering straight (test drive after teh first side) and use a bottle jack to put pressure on the underside of the end joint so you can tighten it, otherwise it will rotate frustratingly.