1994 Ford Thunderbird Tie rod broken (NOT tie rod end)

JIMPIVONKA

MEMBER
1994 FORD THUNDERBIRD

Steering problem
1994 Ford Thunderbird Two Wheel Drive

We need information on how to address a broken driver side tie rod.

The rod is broken between 1 and 2 inches from where it screws into the tie rod end. Esamination of the break indicates that the rod has been bent for some time, that it cracked at the point of the bend, and that stress at that point extended the crack until the rod broke. (The car had been stolen, used in commission of capital crime, impounded as possible evidence for 4 years, and recently released to the owner, who is attempting to put it back in service.)

Obviosly the tie rod needs to be replaced. We need information on how to do that, or how to locate instruction for how to do that. We are also interested in advice about what other parts of the steering should be reworked.

7 Replies

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

If the tir rod didnt break, but the adjusting sleve, replace both. Then get an alignment.

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Tuesday, August 12th, 2008 AT 2:29 AM

JIMPIVONKA

MEMBER
4 POSTS

I am not clear what is meant by the "adjusting sleeve" but since the break is in the tie rod itself, between 1 and 2 inches from where it screws into the tie rod end, it seems that only the tie rod itself may need to be replaced.

I am checking the online manuals to see if they can help with the procedures for removing the broken tie rod and replacing it. We'll also need to identify the tie rod by part name and number and buy it somewhere.

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Tuesday, August 12th, 2008 AT 10:05 AM

MERLIN2021

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17,250 POSTS

Sorry, yours has rack and pinion..so it has an inner and outer tie rod, the inner has the threaded rod, and the outer screws onto it...which one broke?

[img]https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_OuterTE_1.jpg[/img
Crack the lock nut from the outer tie rod end, use a tie rod fork and seperate the old one from the steering knuckle, and unscrew it. Install is the reverse, and get an alignment.

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Tuesday, August 12th, 2008 AT 3:17 PM

JIMPIVONKA

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4 POSTS

The bend and break is in the threaded area, so the part pictured in your post is the part that would need to be replaced.

The opinion I hear here is that since replacement of this part requires removal of the entire R&P assembly it will be just as well to buy a remanufactured R&P and replace the entire assembly.

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Tuesday, August 12th, 2008 AT 4:58 PM

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

Only if it leaks! Romove the platic dust boot, then use the inner tie rod tool you can rent at Autozone, remove the old one and install the new one, put the boot back on and re attach the outer, and your done! A LOT easier thean doing the rack.