|
You should be able to break these loose while the outer is still in the steering knuckle. It's a 7/8 wrench usually (is that 22mm? I forget). Anyway, it can be tough to break apart an outer from the nut on the inner. It should be possible though with normal tools. Maybe you can use another wrench or pipe for better leverage.
Just don't UNDER torque this when reassembling it- I saw an 89 244 today which had been for an "alignment" at a cheapy shop- they DID NOT tighten the tie rod jam nuts back down, either side. The passenger side finally stripped out and parted company. We rolled it into the garage after threading it back together- in 200 ft it came apart again (luckily broke next door to the dealership I was at!) adn it parted again just before getting in the bay. Inner and outer TRASHED. Then, lo and behold, grabbed the other side- could wiggle it up and down even though it was still threaded together. This guy was a HAIR away from a very violent crash and total loss of steering control. The other shop that did it is paying for the parts.... damn lucky they don't have a very expensive lawsuit on their hands. BOTH SIDES had stripped hardware, because NEITHER side was properly torqued after an alignment. SCARY!
I will check mine from now on, and go to a reputable alignment shop. Unfortunately, many of these discount tire chain stores hire very inexperienced people, and these mistakes can be par for the course becuase of that.
--
Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: 86 244DL, 87 244DL, 88 744GLE, 91 244: 808K total
|
