TIS procedure for tie rod assembly R&R?

[Ricky Bobby]

Does anyone have a PDF of the TIS for tie rods on our cars? I searched and although I found tools needed, I'm looking for torque specs and such.

In my quest to complete my wear items in the front end, since I am doing my wheel bearings, replacing my CV boots while the assembly is out, I figured I may as well replace the LAST ORIGINAL piece on my front suspension, the tie rods haha.

I know its 22mm for the ball joint on the swivel bearing, and 34 or 38mm wrench needed to get it off the rack correct?

If anyone has this I would greatly appreciate, thanks!

[mrbmwx5]

38mm wrench needed.
Save the boost and not try not to rip them.

[Ricky Bobby]

yeah I will be careful with the boots, may get some replacement clamps though (not worm clamps) Do you have torque specs for the tie rod or did you just snug it up good?

38mm is a unique size I will have to start looking at the stores for it

[mrbmwx5]

Just jack the car up and turn the steering as far as you can to gain more room.

I just snug it up good
Harbor Freight Tool. they sell the whole kit for like $50 that came with many different side.

[Ricky Bobby]

Saw the set but not looking to spend 50, I found 38mm for 12.99 from Northern tool online or might try a 1.5 inch one (38.1 mm)

[davintosh]

According to the Bentley manual, when replacing the outer tie rod, the lock nut where the tie rod end attaches to the tie rod is 38 ft lbs (51Nm). The tie rod to steering knuckle (use new nut) is 59 ft lbs (80Nm).

38mm is about .004" shy of 1 1/2"; if you have trouble finding an inexpensive metric wrench you could use SAE. And 22mm = 7/8".

[Ricky Bobby]

Dave thanks for being my guru for the torque specs, thats what I was looking for!

Definitely thinking about just getting SAE wrenches, 20 bucks for 38mm wrench for Northern tool which isn't bad but at least if I have SAE I can use on my Scag mower probably! lol

I'll pick up some metric crow foot wrenches for that lock nut too, probably a 16mm, I'm sure they will come in handy!

[Ricky Bobby]

FYI as I thought this might come in handy to others:

I just had ECS source me the HD version of Meyle's tie rods for our X5's, I was not aware the HD version existed until I found the part number and put in the catalog myself. Here is link to HD tie rod in Meyle catalog:

http://opc.meyle.com/opc/productDeta...+030+0010%2FHD

Part number from Meyle 316 030 0010/HD



And the best part, the HD tie rod assemblies cost less than the Lemfoerders from ECS! I was going to pass on doing the replacing of the tie rods, but since I will have the strut disconnected doing my wheel bearings and CV joints, I figured it couldn't hurt to take another half hour per side and do the tie rods, especially since mine are fairly seized (a pain for alignments) and they are the last original things on the front end.

[X5SND]

Thanks for the great info long AFTER I do my front end! lol. Nonetheless, I'm sure many here will find this plenty useful!

[Ricky Bobby]

Just wanted to update this thread as I ended up having a seized tie rod which made the shop unable to perform my alignment this past weekend:

Got 2 brand new Meyle HD tie rods from FCP Euro for $125 shipped, which is about $25 less than ECS charges and about $35 less than the Lemforders referenced in previous threads, I had great success so far with Meyle HD on my thrust arms, so I thought I would give the tie rods a shot as well.

Not to be confused with run of the mill Meyle products, the HD's are built better and carry a 4 year warranty, worth the extra 10 bucks in my opinion. First impressions on unboxing were they were beefy, made of good steel especially on the nuts, and came with all hardware needed.

I have 22mm for the outer tie rod end, but I'm going to try an adjustable wrench on the inner nut for 38mm. If the adjustable wrench slips I'll go to harbor freight, get the 50 dollar kit which has the 38mm wrench, and hopefully keep it clean enough to return when finished :laugh:

I'm going to try to take some pics of the process if I can but it seems to be straight forward.