tie rods/ inner track rods/ axial rods

[gareyt]

Tie Rods,or whatever you may call them. Im after advice from people that have removed and fitted these things.

My steering has always been dodgy so I decided to replace both the tie rods and the track rod ends in an attempt to hopefully sort it out.

I bought a special tool that would slide down the tie rod onto the joint but It must be too small because it doesn't go over the curved end of the joint onto the flat bits so ultimately it doesn't get any grip on it.

Has anyone used these tools before, are they supposed to go over the curved part of the joint on to the flat bit.

Would a very large spanner etc be a better option.

Any advice on removing these would be appreciated.

[PaulKemp]

If your talking about the steering rack tie rods sometimes referred to as drumsticks then they unscrew and any spanner that will fit across the flats will do

[PaulKemp]

If your talking about the steering rack tie rods sometimes referred to as drumsticks then they unscrew and any spanner that will fit across the flats will do

[LordLoveLength]

gareyt said:

Tie Rods,or whatever you may call them. Im after advice from people that have removed and fitted these things.

My steering has always been dodgy so I decided to replace both the tie rods and the track rod ends in an attempt to hopefully sort it out.

I bought a special tool that would slide down the tie rod onto the joint but It must be too small because it doesn't go over the curved end of the joint onto the flat bits so ultimately it doesn't get any grip on it.

Has anyone used these tools before, are they supposed to go over the curved part of the joint on to the flat bit.

Would a very large spanner etc be a better option.

Any advice on removing these would be appreciated.

Yes they should fit over the curved end, so sounds like yours is too small.
You don't say what car, but when I did it on a golf I used to have it was quick and easy to remove the suspension bottom arm.
You could then reach the joint with a big adjustable spanner.

[gareyt]

Job done. Turns out the tool I had was just a couple of ml too small so got the bigger one and did it in a jiffy. Thank God no seized parts.

Thanks for the advice. It was a Megane mk2. Cheers.

[Matt Seabrook]

Don't forget to have the wheel alignment checked.