Can the Inner Tie rod right side be replaced with basic tools with the rack in place in the vehicle? Thanks

 

You will have to replace the rack as the inner rods don't seem to be removable. Are you sure it's the inner rods? There have been forum posts where it was thought the inners were bad, but when the outers were replaced, the inners were fine.

 

Lol.... Yep I'm sure it's the inner.....Hit a metal rod that put a 20 degree bend in the inner tie-rod.... Needless to say the alignment is a tad off.... After I posted my query, I went to advanced, and they had an OEM listed for it. The replacement one appears to have a wrenching flat spot for putting it on or taking it off.... whether the old one has the same, only time and aggravation will tell. If I have to do the rack, the van will get junked....I'll keep you posted on how it works...... BTW Rockauto also had an inner listed, but my instincts tell me that even if I replace it, it will probably leak or something.... Thanks

 

I know they list a replacement, but getting the old one off is the trick. I don't think there is a flat spot. If you accomplish this please post the details. Pictures would be an even larger bonus. I have yet to see that anyone has done this on any of the D/C forums. I would attempt to remove it before I bought or unpacked the replacement inner rod, especially if you are going to junk it instead of replacing the rack. You may tear up the boot removing the inner too.

 

I just replaced the right side today. you need to take off the outter tie rod and don't forget to count the turns it takes to get it off, you need to put the same turns back on. remove the boot from the inner tie rod, if it's the factory tie rods there wont be a flat spot of the tool. I put a pair of vices grips on the tie rod right where it connects to the rack and it broke free and came right off, it was on there tight because the factory put lock tight on. then just put the new one on in the reverse order.

 

Guys: just buy an inner tie rod tool: cheap ones are ~ $50 and expensive top of the line can be ~$180. Anyhow, I bought a cheap one in Harbor Freight and it was like "why in hell I lost my time grease-monkeying this instead of getting the right tool for the job?"
Anyhow, $50 well spent! Removed & reassembled the 2 inner rods in less than an hour.