Changing tie rods?

[Toaster Pilot]

My ageing Kangoo van has a healthy amount of play in the steering, lead to believe that it's caused by worn inner tie rod joints.

Seem cheap to replace but I've never done it before - anyone able to recommend the right tool for the job? I see a number of different styles of tool designed to do the same job, just wondering what's best (that preferably doesn't cost the earth)

[imagineifyeswill]

A 32mm open ended spanner or a good vice grips, no point in buying an expensive tool for a job you may only do once. Im a full time mechanic and have hundreds probably thousands of pounds worth of obsolete tools bought for specialist jobs on cars long out of production.

[Toaster Pilot]

I do a fair bit of work on cars as I'm a part time trader and do have a Picasso with similar play that would probably benefit from the same job.... but you do have a point for sure!

If a 32mm spanner will do the job it'll most likely be the most cost effective solution!

[Jimmyarm]

Good luck getting a spanner on the joints, there are special tools made for the job..

[imagineifyeswill]

It is possible to get a spanner on the joints on a Kangoo and while there are special tools to do the job thats the point I was making about buying special tools for a one off job. For the price of two joints and the special tool you could probably get an exchange steering rack.

[Jimmyarm]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/271688276543?limghl...

Hardly breaking the bank =)

[imagineifyeswill]

I havent seen that on before,but whilst it wouldnt break the bank I would like to see someone try and get that into the joint on a Kangoo along with some form of 1/2 inch drive, whilst I say in can be done with a spanner there isnt a lot of room. I think the tool generally being thought of is the type which slips over the whole tie rod from the outside and they are around £80.

[Matt Seabrook]

Don't forget to get the alignment checked after fitting it. To be honest with the right tool it's about 1/2 an hour to do. If you need to spend £20 or more on something to do the job you may be better off paying a garage to do the work for you.

[PaulKemp]

With local garages charging £48 hour a £20 tool seems like a good buy
Don't forget you can flog it on eBay for 2/3rds purchase

[PaulKemp]

With local garages charging £48 hour a £20 tool seems like a good buy
Don't forget you can flog it on eBay for 2/3rds purchase

[Jimmyarm]

imagineifyeswill said:

I havent seen that on before,but whilst it wouldnt break the bank I would like to see someone try and get that into the joint on a Kangoo along with some form of 1/2 inch drive, whilst I say in can be done with a spanner there isnt a lot of room. I think the tool generally being thought of is the type which slips over the whole tie rod from the outside and they are around £80.

I have a more expensive bluepoint version of it, it works every time for me =)

You can use them with extensions and a breaker bar, as you probably know the joints usually just need cracking off and then can unscrew by hand.

[Matt Seabrook]

PaulKemp said:

With local garages charging £48 hour a £20 tool seems like a good buy
Don't forget you can flog it on eBay for 2/3rds purchase

Some may think it's worth doing your self, other may think that by the time you have paid you eBay fee pay pal fee wrapping and getting to the post office taking the best part of 45 mins to fit the track rod if you are supplied the correct part if not going back to your motor factor to get the correct one to save £10-14 a ball ache. I'm not saying don't do it but it may not be cost affective for some. To save little more than £10 for 1 1/2 hours messing with fitting p&p etc may not be sensible if you can get an alignment discounted in to the bargain. If you plan on fitting a few of these the tool make a lot of sense if not the may be its better to let a pro do the job for you. Just a thought

[Toaster Pilot]

Holy bump!

My Kangoo still has knackered steering - sorting it this weekend because it's really bad now!

Bought this tool last month and have done a couple of cars with it http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/4PC-Steering-Rack-Knuckle-...

It's fantastic - effortless removal like they aren't screwed on at all!

[imagineifyeswill]

Thats a good deal on that tool, thats the type I was talking about but usually much dearer than that.

[Toaster Pilot]

imagineifyeswill said:

Thats a good deal on that tool, thats the type I was talking about but usually much dearer than that.

It was actually only 48 quid, bought from an ebay seller like that who has a warehouse locally so I collected it

Can wholeheartedly recommend it - it's fantastic