2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Tie Rod Adjusting Sleeve

[KBrennan]

How hard should it be to turn the tie rod adjusting sleeve on a 2500 4X4? This is the big one that conects the two steering knuckles together. I had to put everything I had into it and then some comming off and going back on. There was a lot of rust inside but I thought I had most of it cleaned up. I am thinking I should just cut the old one off and put a new one on. Thoughts?

 

[jelag]

On some vehicles, they have to be turned with a small pipe wrench... usually some anti-rust spray and working with the pipe wrench will loosen it up to the point that it can be adjusted. .

 

[KBrennan]

I dumped a half a can into it and wire brushed the inside. It took a large pipe wrench with a four foot cheater bar to get it to turn. Than can't be right.

 

[ewcmr2]

You did loosen the pinch bolts right?

 

[B.G. Smith]

There is a special tool for turning the sleeve. It hooks into the slit in the sleeve and is turned with a 1/2" ratchet. It opens the sleeve as you put the torque on it making the sleeve easier to turn. A pipe wrench grips the sleeve and forces it into the threads making the sleeve harder to turn. bg

 

[KBrennan]

You did loosen the pinch bolts right?

Backed the nuts off almost all the way off

 

[KBrennan]

There is a special tool for turning the sleeve. It hooks into the slit in the sleeve and is turned with a 1/2" ratchet. It opens the sleeve as you put the torque on it making the sleeve easier to turn. A pipe wrench grips the sleeve and forces it into the threads making the sleeve harder to turn. bg

So I just ended up squezing the tube even more. Well I have a new sleeve and will hang on to it when I take it in for the alignment. If it is still a problem at least I will not have to wait for a part to come in.