Ford 9L3Z-3280-A
Inner Tie Rod

Service and repair operations for inner tie rod should begin by placing the vehicle in NEUTRAL position at a hoist. The tie-rod jam nut needs loosening before removing the outer tie-rod end nut that you will discard. Separate the outer tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle with the Ball Joint Tool Separator while making a note of turn counts since these values will help during reinstallation. The maintenance of the inner tie rod begins by removing both the tie-rod end and the tie-rod jam nut from the end of the rod. Discard both clamps and pull away the bellows boot from the base of the steering gear. Position the steering gear at its center and use the correct size crowfoot wrench on the rack gear flat to stop the inner tie rod from turning. Assistance may be needed for removing the right-hand side. Review all parts intended for re-use then install necessary new components. Steer the steering gear towards the center position before using the crowfoot wrench to establish the inner tie rod while tightening it to 120 Nm (89 lb-ft). Before installation of the inner tie rod apply grease to both sides of the bellows boot groove and position it correctly at the steering gear housing bead. Fit the steering gear bellows boot onto its position while using Boot Clamp Pliers to tighten a new inner bellows boot clamp securely. You must position the steering gear bellows end in the middle of the two grooves on the inner tie rod to block internal leakage before using a new outer bellows boot clamp installation. Install the tie-rod end on the inner tie rod by threading in the jam nut and repeat the same turns as initially removed. Secure the tie-rod end with the wheel knuckle but install a new tie-rod end nut then tighten it to 85 lb-ft (115 Nm). Finally adjust the front toe by tightening the tie-rod end jam nut to 103 Nm (76 lb-ft).

Stand-NEUTRAL positioning coupled with a hoist raises the necessary requirement for servicing the inner tie rod. First loosen the tie-rod end jam nut before removing the outer tie-rod end nut that gets discarded. Use the Ball Joint Tool Separator while disconnecting the tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle but protect the tie-rod end boot from damage. The number of turns you need to remove the tie-rod end will help you during reinstallation. Discard the inner and out bellows boot clamps after you remove the tie-rod end jam nut because new clamps need reinstallation. The steering gear bellows boot needs removal before moving on to the steering gear center position with an appropriate crowfoot wrench on the rack gear flat surface to stop gear rotation while the inner tie rod comes out. To repair the right-hand side of the vehicle an assistant needs to pull back the left-hand inner tie-rod boot while holding the steering gear during this operation. The inner tie rod requires removal before cleaning all abrasive material from steering gear components where you must inspect parts for reuse and replace any necessary components. To install the inner tie rod position the steering gear to the center location before tightening it to 120 Nm (89 lb-ft) torque using the crowfoot wrench. Put steering gear grease on the boot groove of the bellows boot found in the inner tie rod. Position the boot correctly by placing it over the steering gear housing bead while the boot fits into the inner tie rod groove. Install the steering gear bellows boot while using Boot Clamp Pliers to fasten a new inner bellows boot clamp. Place the steering gear bellows end between the two grooves of the inner tie rod to prevent internal leakage before installing the new outer bellows boot clamp. Install the tie-rod end by threading the jam nut onto the inner tie rod before applying it based on the recorded number of turns from removal. First connect the tie-rod end to the wheel knuckle and apply a new tie-rod end nut before tightening it to 115 Nm (85 lb-ft). Conclude this procedure by securing the tie-rod end jam nut to 103 Nm (76 lb-ft) then examine and adjust the front toe if required.