Mk2 tie rod DIY?

[jettaracer1989]

Anyone know of a DIY on replacing the complete tie rod on a car that has power steering? I've looked and looked and looked with no luck. I know there is some special tool I need

[weejunGL]

Anyone know of a DIY on replacing the complete tie rod on a car that has power steering? I've looked and looked and looked with no luck. I know there is some special tool I need

no special tools needed, everything is described well in the bentley if you have it

if not, i suggest you buyung it. there are loads of good info in that book, especially is the torque settings for various bolts etc etc

[CodeMan]

Shadetree version:

Loosen subframe bolts & drop the subframe a couple inches.

Pull back the rack boot & unbolt the tie rod from the rack.

Unbolt the tie rod end (TRE) from the knuckle and use a clamp to pop it out. (A crow's head wrench or whatever they're called will help here.)

Measure from the TRE to the surface that mates to the rack.

Match that distance on the new tie rod & TRE.

Installation is the reverse of removal.™

Check alignment.

[jettaracer1989]

Shadetree version:

Loosen subframe bolts & drop the subframe a couple inches.

Pull back the rack boot & unbolt the tie rod from the rack.

Unbolt the tie rod end (TRE) from the knuckle and use a clamp to pop it out. (A crow's head wrench or whatever they're called will help here.)

Measure from the TRE to the surface that mates to the rack.

Match that distance on the new tie rod & TRE.

Installation is the reverse of removal.™

Check alignment.

I plan on getting it lined up afterward, and I do appreciate the easy instructions but im trying to not drop the subframe haha thank you though

[CodeMan]

... im trying to not drop the subframe haha thank you though

I hear it can be done, but why make it harder on yourself?

[jettaracer1989]

I hear it can be done, but why make it harder on yourself?

to me dropping the subframe would be a pain, I dont feel like trying to line it back up

[CodeMan]

Do you have tiny hands like Dimitry?

[jettaracer1989]

Do you have tiny hands like Dimitry?

haha no my hands are pretty big, and I understand what you mean but I think I found the right tool I need to just take it off without unbolting anything else really

[mkast]

the right tool

A tie rod fork.

[revolution_Jd3]

dont use air gun on sub frame bolts

[jettaracer1989]

A tie rod fork.

Nope not the fork, I'm talking about the inner tie rod end that connects to the rack

[jettaracer1989]

Dropping my subframe served no purpose at all, still cant get a wrench in there to save my life

[CodeMan]

Dropping my subframe served no purpose at all, still cant get a wrench in there to save my life

(A crow's head wrench or whatever they're called will help here.)

Whoops, it's called a crow's FOOT wrench, not head.

[jettaracer1989]

Edit this post: Realized what a crows foot wrench was, yeah wont work plus I dont have one I do appreciate you trying to help tho

[jettaracer1989]

Anyone have any other way of doing this? It's starting to piss me off that I cant get the friggin thing out

[Project_2501]

Get the special tool per the bentley manual (also on Dan J Reed's page). It's basically a metal tube w/ a flat side and set screw at the end to lock onto the 22(21?)mm hex on the inner tie rod. Use a 1/2" breaker bar and it takes no more than 20min per side to change the whole thing. The tool is about $45 and 100% worth it.

[jettaracer1989]

Yeah thats what I was looking for but nowhere local had it, luckily one of my buddies happened to be up at his race shop today and when I called him was able to toss it in his car for me. Finally... now just tires, suspension and a new stock exhaust and ill be set