Inner Tie rods on 1994 Olds Silhouette

I need to change the driver side inner tie rod on a 1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette. The service manual states that you have to take the whole rack and pinion out of the vehicle to remove the inner tie rods. The Haynes manual doesn't even list a procedure for replacing the inners. So... Is there a way to change the inner tie rods without removing the rack? It looks like there might be room, but without getting into it, I can't tell.

Also, I called a couple places up, one shop says that they can replace them without removing the rack, the other says that the rack has to come out.

One more thing. How difficult is it to remove the rack? I have read the procedures in the shop manual, but some tips a tricks from someone that has actually done this would be very helpful.

TIA, Bill Yehle

Reply to
William F. Yehle II
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You can do it, but it's very difficult to properly crimp the lock tabs on the inner tie rod. On a GM product, I'd rather just pull the entire rack out so that you can properly crimp those tabs. If you decide to try to change them in the vehicle, you just need the special "deeeeeep" sockets that are available for the inner tie rods.

It's not that bad. But then I've done literally 100's of them. On a U-van, the worst part of the whole job is getting the plastic tube that covers the stub shaft from the rack going up into the passenger compartment to move upwards so that you can access the bolt that holds the intermediate shaft to the rack. (whew...sorry....sentence was way too long)

Often you need to drop the back of the subframe just a bit so that you have room to pull the rack out.

Ian

Reply to
shiden_Kai

Ian,

Since I have never removed a rack, how long should it take? I will probably what until I am less busy to get to it. And since I have the rack out, I'll probably change out all of the tie rods. I also have a leaking strut (driver's side), so I intend to change the front struts at the same time since an alignment will be needed any ways.

Thanks for your help. I will probably repost when I get closer to doing the actual work.

Bill

Reply to
William F. Yehle II

I would probably devote a Saturday to it. When you do things for the first time, it never goes quite the way you think it will.

Do repost when you feel like tackling the job and I'm sure we can give you whatever help you need.

Ian

Reply to
shiden_Kai

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