[WestTNRider]

Bent a tie rod (among other things). How hard is it to straighten these things out? Really don’t want to drop loads of dough on a metal bar…

 

[acefire]

You can straighten them fairly easy . But once they are bent and you straighten them they won’t take a 10th of the hit that bent them the first time to bend them again. And second time around it may bend worse or even break.

 

[WestTNRider]

How in the sweet mother of God almighty do you get the tie rods off this POS. I’ve pulled and twisted and cussed for hours trying to twist this thing

 

[acefire]

Pipe wrench and a propane torch. The joint is covered with loctite.

 

[acefire]

It’s easier if you remove the sway bar and while it’s off Chuck it to the scrap Ben also.

 

[WestTNRider]

Just for clarity, I’m twisting the end where the ball goes in the socket no? Not the shaft that goes into the rack

 

[acefire]

Yes the ball socket attached to the threw shaft of the rack and pinion . Not the rod.

 

[acefire]

 

[WestTNRider]

How do you go about getting the little fasteners off that clip on things like the brake lines, plastic a arm guards, etc

 

[cannedham]

A drill or dremel. They're just big rivets.

 

[slowindown]

And zip ties are fine instead of replacing the rivets with new rivets. Also, one of these tools I'm linking is useful in removing/installing the rods: https://www.autozone.com/test-scan-...-tool/p/oemtools-inner-tie-rod-tool/94645_0_0

 

[WestTNRider]

Does anyone know off hand what the outer diameter is of the tie rod shaft?

 

[acefire]

Thread end is 12mm

 

[cannedham]

Are you talking about the bent part in your photo? If so, mine is 1/2". Mine is a 2012 model, don't know if they upped the size in later years.