Ford 9L5Z-3280-A
Inner Tie Rod

Start your inner tie rod servicing by unmounting the wheel and tire followed by jam nut loosening then assemble with 80 Nm (59 lb-ft) torque. Replace both the discarded outer tie-rod end cotter pin and nut with fresh components that need tightening to a torque of 80 Nm (59 lb-ft). Also install a fresh cotter pin. A Tie-Rod End Separator allows you to disconnect the outer tie-rod end but protect the tie-rod end boot from damage as you record the number of turns for assembly use before disassembling the outer tie-rod end. The first step is to take the tie-rod jam nut off while also pulling left-hand boot towards the right if working on the correct side. Remove both clamps from the inner and outer bellows boot before taking out the bellows boot itself. A 21 mm (0.82 in) crowfoot must be fixed to the flat area of the rack gear for centering the steering gear before removing the inner tie rod using the Inner Tie-Rod Socket Tool while tightening the installation torque to 100 Nm (74 lb-ft). The procedure for torsion bar suspension vehicles requires the same approach by first loosening the tie-rod jam nut and removing the steering gear until you can perform the outer tie-rod end and jam nut removal steps. You must clean all reusable parts after removing the inner tie rod then install new parts as needed. The bellows boot seal must rest in its proper positions over both the steering gear housing bead and inner tie-rod groove and should be checked for any twisting while the breather tube must be properly inserted within the breather nipple. Steaming gear grease must be applied to the inner tie rod's inside groove at the bellows boot clamp location before reinstalling everything according to the removal steps with a new cotter pin. Front toe adjustment becomes necessary at the end of the procedure.