Date:         Wed, 18 Jan 2006 18:21:06 -0500
Reply-To:     Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Tie Rod Replacement

Here is what I did. First , if you have lots and lots of miles on the front
end,consider getting a complete tie rod. Not hard to replace at all.Check
BD for a good price.Support the lower control arm on a cinder block,wheel
removed.  Remove the nut on the tie rod end.Smack the iorn spindel where
the tie rod end goes through with a 2 pound hand sledge hammer. Good and
hard smacks. 3 of them. The tie rod end will release its grip on the
spindel , and pop right out on the third smack. The hole that the tie rod
end goes through is a tapered hole. It grips the tie rod end shaft,
tenatiously,without a nut, and wont let go.

To do a front end, toe in adjustment, take measurements from one tire tread
to the other on the front edge of the tires. Write it down. Then take a
measurement from the rear part of the tire to the other tire's rear part.Do
this 1/2 way up the tire from the ground.Right through the steel dust cap,
chalk a mark,and use a level to mark on the front and rear of each tire.
These are the places where you place your tape measure.4 chalk marks.

It helps if the tires are properly inflated and the tread is the same on
each tire and the tread is good. Bentley says the difference between the
front of the tires and the back of the tires is 3mm difference for proper
toe in.Not much ,but it is doable. Use a  carpenters retractable tape
measure.I think 3mm  is about 1/8 inch.After each adjustment of the tie
rod,bounce on the front bumper a few times to "adjust" the toe in.Wont take
long, and you will become real good at it real fast.Good luck.