[Spieln968]

Is there any trick to replacing a tie rod assembly? My concern it getting it loose from the steering rack. I have read that some people put a wrench on the flat portions (if they exist). Some remove the entire rack and bolt it in a vise. I have also read that the steering rack can handling the torque and you can just put a wrench on the inner tie rod and turn away. Anybody have any experiences?

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[968gene]

Have you purchased replacements yet, I think I remember seeing a post (somewhere) on a VW or Audi equivalent at a reduced price.

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[earossi]

[quote name='Spieln968' date='Feb 15 2005, 11:29 PM']Is there any trick to replacing a tie rod assembly?  My concern it getting it loose from the steering rack.  I have read that some people put a wrench on the flat portions (if they exist).  Some remove the entire rack and bolt it in a vise.  I have also read that the steering rack can handling the torque and you can just put a wrench on the inner tie rod and turn away.  Anybody have any experiences?

[right][post="807"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

I have replaced the tie rod assemblies on a 944, and don't think that the 968 is any different. There is no trick, nor is the job very hard. Use an extraction tool to pop the tie rod joint loose at the steering knuckle. Be sure to leave the nut attached to the spherical joint, but loose so that when the joint "pops" no one gets hurt. Once the joint is loose, you can use an open end to remove the threaded end of the assembly. You'll have to deal with the accordion rubber boots to get access to the flats you mentioned. Once the car is up in the air, it shouldn't take you more than about 10 minutes per side to remove the old assemblies. Adjust the length of the new assemblies to be approximately as long as the old ones, to get an approximate setting. You'll need to take the car to an alignment shop for a final setting of the toe-in.

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[Spieln968]

earossi,



Are there flats on the steering rack to hold it while you loosen the treaded ends? Some say to not put any wrench on this shaft as you might put a nick in it and cause it to leak. Maybe it will become obvious once I get under there and look. Did you put any lock tight on the threads when you reassembled?



968gene-Vertex had them on a blow out special. I think the price was $48 each. First they sent me ones that were too short but have since sent me the correct ones.



Thanks for the help.

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[earossi]

[quote name='Spieln968' date='Feb 17 2005, 12:00 AM']earossi,



Are there flats on the steering rack to hold it while you loosen the treaded ends?  Some say to not put any wrench on this shaft as you might put a nick in it and cause it to leak.  Maybe it will become obvious once I get under there and look.  Did you put any lock tight on the threads when you reassembled?



968gene-Vertex had them on a blow out special.  I think the price was $48 each.  First they sent me ones that were too short  but have since sent me the correct ones.



Thanks for the help.

[right][post="855"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

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[earossi]

[quote name='earossi' date='Feb 17 2005, 08:24 PM'][right][post="895"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

It's been four years since I changed out the tie rods on the 944, so I don't remember exactly what I found. You should not have to put a wrench on the rack, unless there is a flat on the rack itself. Once you get the boot off the car, it should be self evident what needs to be done. It's really no big deal. Believe me, the hardest thing to do is break the tie rod end loose from the steering knuckle.

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