OK, so I'm replacing the center link, inner and outer tie rods on my 86 Iroc.

I took everything out as one unit, separated the outers from the spindle and center link from pitman arm and idler arm. I thought that would be a great way to aid in dry fitting parts and setting it up about the same as the old unit.

Well it seems the inner tie rod nuts bottom out before they are snug to the center link (not castle nut, has the little vinyl rings)... my friend said just chuck some washers in there?

Now if a treat the inners as the outers everything lines up a treat?

Now following what I assume are stock parts I'm doing it backwards (even though I found a cotter pin stuffed into one of the sleeve braces to aid tension) ... or did the last guy do it backwards?

Should the end with the castle nut be the outer definite end of story?


And yes I took everything out of the boxes and confused myself at this point... derr!

It's cold and and getting dark so I wont be doing anything stupid till after monday and tuesdays rain... I am thinking I have it right with the teflon ringed nuts on the outside and the castles inner?


Big job, crappy mechanic

 

Bah, I think I've got it sorted out, what I thought was backwards has to be right, the spindle is far thicker than the center link... the difference between TRW and OEM just had me confused.

 

if you are still a little lost, the tie rod with the cotter pin goes on the spindle.

 

After much deliberation, dry fitting, comparing fitting location, looking up the parts dimensions and measuring it ... nope, cheesy nylon stop bolt on the outer to the spindle ... the car needs to stay as ambulatory as possible, they will stay for now... Moog outers to be ordered ASAP. Especially before I go doing anything more than an eyeball-linement with my tape measure.