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Thu May 26, 2005 9:24 pm

I'm planning on installing new tie rods and ends on my 82 this weekend and have never done this before. Anything I should know or look for? Hints? Tricks? tips? special tools? etc. I Googled "tie rod replacement" and didn't come up with much. :roll:

Fri May 27, 2005 8:31 pm

I just did mine on my 87 very simple job just remove the old assemblies and try to match the length of the new with old ones (makes for a better drive to the alignment shop) be careful not to overtighten the castle nuts on the tie rod ends that plug into the spindle (I did this and had to drill and cut the thing out). If the steering boots are in place then you should have very little trouble getting the inner tie rods off of the steering rack and the best part of the job is coming up with all of those colorful words as you try to get the boots back on --save both the boots for last after awhile that memory should fade and you will just remember how quick and easy the job was

Fri May 27, 2005 8:54 pm

Thanks Bacwmi
All is said and done....or pretty near done. I found that soaking the boot tips in soapy water helped alot :wink: My only problem now is finding a shop that will do the alignment. It seems that many of the shops in my area (Brooklyn, NY) only deal with newer cars. And the wanabe mechanics that run these shops only know how to follow the directions that there fancy shop computers spit out. :? I wont mention any names....Strauss Discount Auto. These knuckle heads had me wait around for a half an hour :evil: just to tell me that they didn't have the spec. for an 82 "Bus". Shouldn't a real mechanic know the difference between a Bus and a Vanagon? Im going to try Firestone tomorrow wish me luck

Fri May 27, 2005 10:07 pm

Firestone is where I got mine done