Installing tie rods without removing backing plate?

It can be done but it is a tight fit. You will be able to get a large screwdriver on the plug. The screwdriver will take up about 1/2 of the slot in the plug. Use one with a square shaft so you can get a wrench on it for leverage. You will be able to get half turns on the plug using this method.

Once the plug is out you can remove the tie rod, old spring, washer, and rubber seal. Put in the new spring and cups. You can put the new rubber seal when you put the tie rod back on. Tighten up the plug accordingly and you are done...
 
The trick is to get the backing plates turned as far as you can to either extreme so that you have more room to install the end plug and then tighten it with a large flat blade screwdriver. Towards that end, it helps if you take off both king pin lock pin nuts, which double as "stops" against the backing plates (ever notice the indent in the spindle where the end of the nut touches?) By temporarily removing these long nuts, you will gain a little extra distance at each extreme, just enough to make installing the end plug a little easier. Don't forget to put the nuts and lock washers back on after the tie rod has been tightened and the toe-in re-set (if necessary).
Yup - it helps to take off the front wheels and tires!
Marshall
 
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I took the steering arms off and put the tie rod on. Easy as pie. Also, I did boil the rubber seals for about 10 minutes and put a tiny dab or grease on the balls, and voila! Easy!
 
A friend gave me a home made tool to turn the screws at the end of the tie rods and it works even with the wheels straight ahead. He used a piece of 1" x 1/8" steel flat bar & bent one end at a right angle, leaving about 3/8" on one leg & the other leg was about 7". All you need is enough to get a good insertion in to the screw slot and a long enough handle for your hand. Simple, cheap & effective.
 

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I have a couple of old sockets that instead of fitting some nut or bolt have a blade for large slotted plugs or screws. Maybe a tool vender can find one for you.
 
daveymc29 said:
I have a couple of old sockets that instead of fitting some nut or bolt have a blade for large slotted plugs or screws. Maybe a tool vender can find one for you.
Click to expand...

They're called drag link sockets, they come in different sizes.
 
katy said:
They're called drag link sockets, they come in different sizes.
Click to expand...

I do not think these will fit in the tight space between the backing plate and the tie rod end screw slot. I may be wrong. I have not tried it (yet).

I am out of town right now, I will try it on Wednesday. :)
 
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