Tie Rod End - Inner

Replace the inner tie rod end on a 1972 Ford F-100 with 302ci V8, requiring removal of the outer tie rod end and adjustment sleeve to access the inner tie rod.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Inner tie rod end × 1 — Use OEM specification or quality replacement
• Outer tie rod end × 1 — Replace if worn or damaged
• Cotter pin for outer tie rod end × 1 — Standard 1/8 inch

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and set parking brake firmly
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Loosen lug nuts on the wheel for the side being serviced while vehicle is on the ground
4. Apply penetrating oil to all tie rod end threads and tapers at least 15 minutes before starting work
5. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at frame rail
6. Support vehicle with jack stands under frame rails behind front wheels
7. Remove wheel completely

Procedure

1. 1

   Mark tie rod adjustment position
   Before removing any components, count and record the number of threads visible between the adjustment sleeve and the outer tie rod end. Use paint marker or tape to mark the rotational position of the adjustment sleeve relative to both inner and outer tie rod ends. Measure and record the overall length from the center of the inner tie rod ball stud to the center of the outer tie rod ball stud for reference.
2. 2

   Remove outer tie rod end cotter pin and castle nut
   Straighten and remove the cotter pin from the outer tie rod end castle nut at the steering knuckle. Remove the castle nut completely using the correct SAE socket (typically 11/16 in or 3/4 in — verify size on your vehicle). Do not discard the nut as you will need it to help with separation.
3. 3

   Separate outer tie rod end from steering knuckle
   Thread the castle nut back onto the tie rod stud 3-4 threads to protect the threads. Position tie rod end separator tool between the steering knuckle and tie rod end. Strike the separator firmly with a hammer or apply pressure according to tool design until the taper releases. The tie rod end will pop free suddenly. Remove the castle nut completely once separated.
4. 4

   Loosen adjustment sleeve clamps
   Locate the two adjustment sleeve clamp bolts on the tie rod adjustment sleeve between the inner and outer tie rod ends. Loosen both clamp bolts completely but do not remove them. The clamps should be free to rotate on the sleeve.
5. 5

   Remove outer tie rod end from adjustment sleeve
   Hold the adjustment sleeve firmly with locking pliers or vise grips to prevent rotation. Unscrew the outer tie rod end from the adjustment sleeve. Note that tie rod adjusting sleeves often have one left-hand and one right-hand threaded end — verify thread direction before turning (one end loosens clockwise, the other counterclockwise) and count the turns as you remove it. Count the turns as you remove it and record this number for reassembly reference.
6. 6

   Remove adjustment sleeve from inner tie rod
   With the outer tie rod removed, unscrew the adjustment sleeve from the inner tie rod end. Verify thread direction first, since the sleeve's two ends commonly have opposite hand threads; turn the appropriate direction to loosen. The sleeve should thread off completely, exposing the full inner tie rod end.
7. 7

   Access inner tie rod mounting point
   The inner tie rod end connects to the steering relay rod (center link) with a ball stud and castle nut arrangement similar to the outer end. Locate this connection point near the center of the vehicle. Clean around the castle nut and ball stud with a wire brush.
8. 8

   Remove inner tie rod castle nut
   Straighten and remove the cotter pin from the inner tie rod end castle nut where it connects to the relay rod. Remove the castle nut using the correct SAE socket (typically 11/16 in or 3/4 in — verify size on your vehicle). Keep this nut for the separation process.
9. 9

   Separate inner tie rod from relay rod
   Thread the castle nut back onto the inner tie rod stud 3-4 threads. Position the tie rod separator between the relay rod and the inner tie rod end taper. Strike or apply pressure to the separator until the taper releases. Remove the castle nut and inner tie rod end completely from the relay rod.
10. 10

    Install new inner tie rod end
    Insert the new inner tie rod end ball stud into the relay rod taper. Ensure the stud seats fully into the taper. Thread the castle nut onto the stud and tighten to the Ford factory specification (verify in the 1972 F-100 shop manual — commonly around 40-50 ft-lbs). Continue tightening only as needed to align the next castle nut slot with the cotter pin hole; never back off to align. Install a new cotter pin and bend the ends to secure.
11. 11

    Install adjustment sleeve onto inner tie rod
    Thread the adjustment sleeve onto the new inner tie rod end (in the reverse direction it was removed), matching the thread depth recorded during disassembly. Apply a light coating of anti-seize or grease to the threads. The sleeve should thread on approximately the same number of turns as it was removed.
12. 12

    Install outer tie rod end
    Thread the outer tie rod end into the adjustment sleeve clockwise, matching the turn count and marks made during disassembly. This will restore approximately the original toe setting. Do not tighten the adjustment sleeve clamps yet.
13. 13

    Connect outer tie rod to steering knuckle
    Insert the outer tie rod end ball stud into the steering knuckle taper. Install the castle nut and tighten to the Ford factory specification (verify in the 1972 F-100 shop manual — commonly around 40-50 ft-lbs). Continue tightening only as needed to align castle nut slots with the cotter pin hole; never back off to align. Install new cotter pin and bend ends to secure.
14. 14

    Adjust and secure adjustment sleeve
    Verify the overall tie rod assembly length matches the measurement taken during disassembly. Position the adjustment sleeve clamps so the clamp bolt openings face away from the direction of wheel rotation (typically toward the rear of the vehicle). Tighten both adjustment sleeve clamp bolts to the Ford factory specification (verify in the 1972 F-100 shop manual — typically in the ~20-30 ft-lb range for sleeve clamp bolts).

Reassembly

1. Reinstall wheel and hand-tighten lug nuts in star pattern
2. Lower vehicle to ground and remove jack stands
3. Torque lug nuts to 75-85 ft-lbs in star pattern with vehicle on ground
4. Test steering by turning wheel fully left and right while stationary to ensure no binding

Verification

• Check that all castle nuts have new cotter pins properly installed and bent
• Verify adjustment sleeve clamps are tight and positioned correctly
• Confirm no play or looseness in the new inner tie rod end by grasping the tire and pushing/pulling
• Schedule immediate wheel alignment at a professional shop before highway driving
• After alignment, test drive at low speeds in a safe area to verify proper steering response

More procedures for this vehicle