Steering Rack help

[Republic]

I have a 318i which I have completely gutted, put in a 325i drive train, some springs, and shortly some struts. Upon working on the front end, I took out the psngr side control arm, strut, spring, and rotor.

However, on the driverside, the sob steering rack does not want to dislodge her pudgy arse from the break housing thingy (very technical terms beign used)! Losing my mind, I beat the snot out of it for over 2 hours - I am none the better.

can I sawzall the this pos out? I was thinking about cutting the attached/extended arm (?) from the steering rack and replacing it. Is this possible? Can I replace it with another? Or am I going to fubar this up? If I can dislodge one from my parts car, I will - but want to insure this is possible.

I truly don't feel like conducting a steering rack swap, I have one, but my engine is back in = PIA to do.

Let me know what is the best possible solution that isn't going to cost me 3 bills to fix. BTW, the bolt from the steering rack which is stuck in the housing (?) is no longer going to thread (arrggh).

I don't care about the any of this crap except for the steering rack - everything else has a replacement.

Thanks - Justin

[Republic]

Okay, evidently this pos is called a tie rod assembly, no? The outer joint is what won't break loose. How do I replace the tie rod assembly?

[Republic]

Is it possible to just replace the bolt at the end of the tie rod, or do I have to replace the whole outer tie rod? Tools needed?

[hayes3054]

I have just been struggling with this exact same thing today. The nut on the tie rod got stripped and I had to cut it off with a dremel. Now I can't get the outer tie rod separated from the inner. I'm going to try some heat in the morning otherwise I'll have to replace the whole thing.
At least my new H&R springs and Bilstein sports are in!:nice:

[atomic]

Is it possible to just replace the bolt at the end of the tie rod, or do I have to replace the whole outer tie rod? Tools needed?

Replace whole tire rod and boots/straps !! You have cut the straps and move the inner boot. You will see a flat washer piece(steering rack lock plate) with a tab on it bent over into a notch. You have to bend that tab up to unlock then unscrew tierod. Then adjust new tie rod to as close to the same length as the one you took off and screw in using new lock plates, boots/straps.


Cost for all new parts approx $50 a side


Once done get it aligned !!

[hayes3054]

I got mine off and replaced the whole tie rod. Prices are a little steeper at the dealer here. It was $90 for the tie rod. One thing I wasn't sure of was the torque on the big end. it was difficult fitting a wrench in there with the washer in the way, so I got it as tight as possible and hammered the lock washer into place. Is that the best tech, or do I need to really get it tight?