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Introduction

Yet another source of poor steering on a Jimny is a worn Tie Rod / Track Rod end.

These are a simple job to change, although you should then get the alignment checked/set afterwards.

Diagnostics

• First, find out which one is worn.
• Jack up the vehicle on the side you want to check and make sure the vehicle is secured.
• Place your hand carefully and lightly over the joint and with a firm grip on the steering rod, try and shake the steering rod around in all directions.
• If you can feel a shift or mechanical click/movement in the joint then it is worn.

PICTURE 1 Figure 1. Checking the Tie-Rod end

Removal

Once you have confirmed that there is a problem the task of stripping is actually quite easy.

1. First remove t he wheel, it gives you more room.

2. Now use a splitter to break the joint open. Here I am using a Puller. I have undone the Tie-Rod end nut but NOT removed it fully. I have put the end of the puller inside the “dish” created by the loose nut on the end of the joint and put the puller feet into the gap between the rubber and the control arm that the joint attaches to.

PICTURE 2 Figure 2. Splitting the Joint

3. The joint should then split with a bang. Now you have to remove the Joint, the trick here is to unscrew the joint without disturbing the locking nut position. The locking nut position is what sets the alignment of the steering and its best to try and not disturb it too much so that the alignment is not too far out. The Joints can rust in and be very difficult to undo, however I was lucky and it was possible to wind the Joint off the rod without touching the locking nut. Note that in the picture the locking nut appears to be part of the tracking rod its elf as it is corroded on, the nut is in fact separate and may need undoing half a turn to allow the Joint to be unwound.

PICTURE 3 Figure 3. Removing the Tie-Rod end

4. With the Tie-Rod removed put a mark on the locking nut and then remove the nut, counting the whole turns it takes to come off.

PICTURE 4 Figure 4. Marking the nut

Installation

5. Now count the same number of turns as you wind the nut onto the new joint.

PICTURE 5 Figure 5. Nut wound onto new Joint

6. Wind the whole Joint onto the rod and re-assemble. You will probably find that when tightening the top nut on the Joint the whole assembly simply turns. You need to put some pressure on the Joint to stop it rotating whilst you are tightening it. Here I have placed a jack underneath the Joint and jacked up the Joint slightly.

PICTURE 6 Figure 6. Tightening the Joint

7. Now tighten up the locking nut, replace the wheel and your finished. You should get the alignment checked as soon as you can.

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Page last edited on 8/02/2017 by user Bosanek