Hey everyone looking to replace inner and outer tie rods on my 86 gt also the rear passenger as well. For the front my buddy told me I have to remove the rack and pinion to do this is this true and also on the rear is it like the same in the front inner and outer or just one whole tie rod ????

The rears also have an inner, just a different design. Rodney Dickman sells really nice ones.

The Fornt inners can be removed on the car, the factory crimped flats onto the originals to keep them from turning, so getting them the break loose can be difficult. On the worse ones I have used a dremel cutting wheel and cut slits in the crimped flat to allow it to bend back easier so it will unscrew.

For the front inners, I've only ever done it with the rack out of the car, but that's not really a big issue because to get the rack out it's only four bolts (on the hold-down clamps) and one pinch bolt at the bottom of the column in the front compartment. It's much easier to remove the rack if you remove the spare wheel tub. It may be possible to replace the inners with the rack still in the car, but the service manual also says to remove it. Use the left hand column of this page for instructions.



For the rears, all you need is a pickle fork to get the outer tie rod to let go of the knuckle, and an 18mm wrench (if I recall correctly) to remove the nut that holds it to the ear that's welded onto the cradle. One per side.

quote Originally posted by Mike Gonzalez: The Fornt inners can be removed on the car, the factory crimped flats onto the originals to keep them from turning, so getting them the break loose can be difficult. On the worse ones I have used a dremel cutting wheel and cut slits in the crimped flat to allow it to bend back easier so it will unscrew.

i have done this to help removal become an easier job, also go to local auto parts store (Oreilly's) and borrow their inner tie rod removal tool. it works great and makes the job much, much easier.
for the rears, i don't have a clue mines an '88 so it's not needed.

The rear inners just have nuts on the inside side of the mounting bracket. If you get Rodeys rear inners they come with locking washers that allow you to bend a tab down on one og the flats of the nut so they wont come loose.

The front can be done with the rack in the car. I've done it several times. It is easier with the rack removed but I will caution you that the 4 rack bolts can and will snap off if there is any rust! Use a lot of PB blaster - penetrant oil prior to removing the bolts. It's a good time to check out the passenger side rack bushing too. If you take the rack out, I would suggest that you replace the rack bushing - RD makes a very nice replacement. You can borrow or buy a tie rod seperation tool for cheap for the Outers removal front and back. The inner on the back just bolts in place. Remove the heat shields for better access.

does anybody have an estimate of how long replacing the tie rods takes?
jon

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I'm the original owner of a white ' 84 2M4 purchased Dec 10, 1983 from Pontiac. Always garaged, no rust, 4-wheel drifts are fun!

Which ones, front or rear or both? For a garage or for a back yard mechanic? With experience or without?

[This message has been edited by Bloozberry (edited 09-28-2011).]

ill answer my own question. it took me about 5 hours actual working time to remove the spare tire tub, remove the steering rack, replace the bushing and tie rod ends, grease and reinstall. i have a garage to work in, home mechanic tools and some experience with fieros
jon

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I'm the original owner of a white ' 84 2M4 purchased Dec 10, 1983 from Pontiac. Always garaged, no rust, 4-wheel drifts are fun!

unless they have never been disturbed and are severely rusted , this has always worked for me 1: loosen locking nut away from tie rod end
2 : remove tie rod from spindle with a puller or breaker tool
3 : use a pair of vise grips or channelocks to hold tie rod stationary and a wrench to then spin off the tie rod end .if it is really stuck on , heat the end with a torch .no need to remove the rack .