DIY - Inner & Outer Tie Rod Corolla 98 - 02

This is a DIY for a front wheel drive Corolla 98 - 02 Inner & Outer Tie Rods . There are some videos on YouTube but none of Corolla's but it give you a general idea on helping you in this DIY .

Your gonna need this tool . It must have the crows feet , the other tool they rent at Auto Zone is for American cars . This tool I purchased at Harbor Freight cost $35.00 and is for Imports .

Corolla's from 98 - 02 have a Inner & Outer Tie Rod which looks like this . Older years only have outer . This DIY should apply to all Corolla front wheel drive with Inner Tie Rods.

First you remove the cotter pin for the outer tie rod them you loosen up the adjusting nut as shown in photos about . Once you have done the first two steps then you remove the castle nut then with a outer tie rod tool you pop the outer tie rod from the spindle . You can use a brass hammer to not damage the thread and hit from below . Then Once you have done those procedures then you remove the outer tie rod but make sure you mark the inner tie rod so that when you assemble it back together you are near point of alignment . Or if your just removing the outer tie rod then you can adjust it back to it's original spot.

Then you remove the outer clamp on the inner tie rod boot and then you go under neath the vehicle and break off the clamp on the inside of the inner tie rod . This clamp CANNOT be used again that is why you use a tie strap in its place . Once you remove both clamps then you remove the boot completely . Make sure you put this boot back on so DO NOT cut it or destroy it .

Now with the Inner Tie Rod tools you find the correct crows foot as the old one is a different size then the new one going in . You put the crows foot on the flat part of the Inner Tie Rod then you slide the tool over the complete tie rod once you feel you have a hold of then then you put a breaker bar on the end of it and remove the inner tie rod .

Now this is how the Inner Tie Rod tool works. Same procedure when your taking the tie rod off . You must use the crows foot cause there is a lock washer that sticks up and the crows foot will fit perfectly .

This tool makes it so much easier and gets the job done fast .

Make sure when your putting the new tie rod you put the lock washer and in some cases it is recommended to put lock thread blue . The blue one holds it in place and helping out the lock washer plus the blue is medium strenght and is easy to remove if need to replace in the future . If you choose not to use the lock thread that is fine to cause you do have the lock washer but better to be safe them sorry .

Once you have done that procedure in reverse put your inner tie rod back on and hand tight it with the tool . Before you put your outer tie rod on get a tie strap put it on gently then put the boot back over and secure both ends .

Then put your outer tie rod remembering where you marked it previously .

Here is the how it should look when you have completed all procedures . Then off to the alignment shop . Make sure when you do this you immediately go to a alignment shop that way you aren't doing any unnecessary wear on your tires . Even if you have it close to alignment better in the long run .

More DIY on http://www.corollacarclub.proboards.com/