OEM 2009 Ford Mustang Tie Rod

2009 Ford Mustang Tie Rod Parts Q&A

• Q: How to service and repair the inner tie rod on 2009 Ford Mustang?

  A: To repair and service the inner tie rod start by taking off the tire and wheel and next soften the tie-rod end jam nut and remove the tie-rod end nut before disposal of both items. Prior to tie-rod end reinstallation you must note the number of turns required for removal using a Tie-Rod End Remover while disconnecting the end from the wheel knuckle. The service continues with tie-rod end jam nut removal after which you must discard the clamps for both inner and outer bellows boots before removing the steering gear bellows boot. Position the steering gear in the middle by applying an appropriate wrench on the flat rack gear surface while preventing rack rotation which could cause damage to the inner tie rod. During right-hand side repairs an assistant should help because holding the steering gear requires pulling back the left-hand inner tie-rod boot. Inner tie rods need a suitable crowfoot-style tool for removal or an appropriate crowfoot wrench which must be used in combination with cleaning all abrasive material off the usable parts. To install the inner tie rod you must hold the steering gear rack while tightening the rod with a crowfoot tool to 120 Nm (89 lb-ft). The steering gear bellows boot should receive steering gear grease within its groove in the inner tie rod while both parts are properly positioned with the boot over the housing bead yet fitted in the tie rod groove without twisting while securing the vent tube into the vent nipple. Boot Clamp Pliers should be used for installing a new inner bellows boot clamp onto the steering gear bellows boot. Install the steering gear bellows between the two grooves on the inner tie rod for leak prevention before securing a new outer boot clamp. Forge the jam nut onto the inner rod before fixing the tie-rod end to it while maintaining the number of turning strokes which were noted earlier. The procedure requires mounting the tie-rod end onto the wheel knuckle before installing a new tie-rod end nut up to 80 Nm (59 lb-ft) torque while the jam nut needs a final torque setting of 55 Nm (41 lb-ft). The final front toe inspection should occur after completing this step.