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Thread: Removing inner tie rod from rack

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Batavia, Ohio
    Posts
    122
    My Cars
    1988 BMW 325ic

    Removing inner tie rod from rack

    I've looked up how this comes off. That thin washer that bends over to lock it in place, looks easy enough to bend the bottom part straight so it can be unthreaded, but how easy is it to reach the portion on the top that is folded over?

    Also I don't have a thin wrench to loosen it from the rack, just plan to use a money wrench. Anyone think obtaining a thin wrench is worth it?

    Also consider that I don't have access to a lift. Will be doing this on jacks with jack stands.

    Thanks.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Evansville,IN
    Posts
    530
    My Cars
    87 BMW 325i Convertible
    i spent like 10-15 at amazon for a tool to do this. I didnt even bother straightening out the washer. The tool allowed me to just twist it off. I was not reusing the tie rod though.


    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
    Last edited by doctorx69; 04-22-2019 at 12:35 PM.
    1987 BMW 325i Convertible


    “Speed has never killed anyone, suddenly becoming stationary… that’s what gets you.”
    Jeremy Clarkson


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    corpus christi, texas
    Posts
    6,738
    My Cars
    No e30s, again :(
    I just used a pipe wrench to remove mine, though I did intend the washers with a flat screw driver and finishing hammer
    No e30s again.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    KS
    Posts
    1,360
    My Cars
    e24e30e36e39e90
    Quote Originally Posted by doctorx69 View Post
    i spent like 10-15 at amazon for a tool to do this. I didnt even bother straightening out the washer. The tool allowed me to just twist it off. I was not reusing the tie rod though.


    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
    +1 these work great, you may be able to find one locally at a parts store.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Joliet,IL
    Posts
    1,121
    My Cars
    87 325is 96 GMC Suburban
    I used a small punch and a hammer to straighten the washers and then a big pair of channel locks or a pipe wrench to remove the inner tie rod end itself

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Central NJ
    Posts
    23
    My Cars
    85325e,97318i,87vlv240
    Quote Originally Posted by doctorx69 View Post
    i spent like 10-15 at amazon for a tool to do this. I didnt even bother straightening out the washer. The tool allowed me to just twist it off. I was not reusing the tie rod though.


    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
    +1 on this one, the tool does its job well.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    KS
    Posts
    1,360
    My Cars
    e24e30e36e39e90
    I will add, the other benefit to using that tool is that you can use your torque wrench to put the new one on. The torque spec is pretty low if I recall correctly.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    5,751
    My Cars
    99 M3

    Removing inner tie rod from rack

    An old school bicycle headset wrench in 32 mm works for Tie Rods and the Fan Clutch Nut.

    https://www.amazon.com/Unior-30mm-He...-12&th=1&psc=1


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    338
    My Cars
    1990 E30 325i 4 Door
    I used a standard 32mm open wrench, the PO had the rack resealed and the shop that did the work actually punched that tab that goes into the rack internally. Meaning, that tab is forced locked. Took me an hour on either side, to gently try to pry it out.

    Now that i am reading this, i completely forgot to bend the new lock rings, just replaced them. Hope nothing unbolts till next week, will not be doing any aggressive driving anyways.

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