On-Vehicle Service; Tie Rods - Chevrolet 1981 Light Duty Truck Service Manual

3B1-6 STEERING LINKAGE
NOTICE:
See N O T IC E on page 1 of this section
regarding all fasteners referred to in servicing steering
linkage components.

TIE RODS

Removal
1. Raise vehicle on hoist.
2. Remove nuts from ball studs. The inner tie rod ends use
crim p nuts, while the outer ends use castellated nuts
and cotter pins.
3. To remove outer ball stud, tap on steering arm at tie rod
end with a ham m er while using a heavy ham m er or
sim ilar tool as a backing (Fig. 3 B 1 -7).
4. Remove inner ball stud from relay rod using same
procedure as described in Step 3.
5. To remove tie rod ends from tie rod, loosen clam p bolts
and unscrew end assemblies.
Installation
NOTICE:
See the N O T IC E on page 1 of this section
regarding the fasteners referred to in steps 4 and 6.
Tie rod adjuster com ponents often become rusted in
service. In such cases, it is recom m ended th at if the torque
required to remove the nut from the bolt after breakaw ay
IMPORTANT
WHENEVER ANY OF THE CRIMP NUTS OR STUDS AT THE (5) LOCATIONS SHOWN ARE LOOSENED OR
REMOVED, THE FOLLOWING STEPS MUST BE TAKEN:
A. WHEN RE-ATTACHING ANY TWO COMPONENTS BY MEANS OF A BALL STUD, CAREFULLY POSITION
THE TWO PARTS. THEN IN STALL A FREE-SPINNING NUT, AND DRAW THE ITEMS TOGETHER TO SEAT
THE TAPER, TORQUE NUT TO 54 N m (40 FT-LBS), THEN REMOVE NUT.
B. THEN USE A TORQUE PR EVAILIN G SERVICE REPLACEMENT NUT (#351249) AND TORQUE TO
90 N-m (66 FT-LBS),
L IG H T T R U C K SERVICE M A N U A L

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

exceed 7 pounds, discard the nuts and bolts. Apply penetrat­
ing oil between the clam p and tube and rotate the clamps
until they move freely. Install new bolts and nuts having the
sam e part num ber to assure proper clam ping at the specified
nut torque.
PRODUCTION NUT
Fig. 3Bl-6--Typical Crimp Nut Locations
Fig. 3B1 -7— Ball Stud Removal-Typical