2000 Pontiac Sunfire Inner tie rod removal

1.Remove the rack and pinion (steering gear).
2.Working on one side, remove the outer tie rod end .
3.Remove the outer tie rod end jam nut.
4.Remove the outer clamp securing the inner tie rod boot to the rack and pinion.
5.Loosen the larger inner clamp using J-22610 boot clamp pliers or equivalent.
6.Slide back the dampener from the inner tie rod end (toward the rack assembly).
7.Hold the rack with a suitable wrench on the flat while loosening the inner tie rod nut (ball joint nut) with a suitable wrench.
8.Once the inner tie rod is loose, remove by hand.
9.Remove the inner tie rod from the vehicle and inspect the rack and pinion for seal leakage. Replace the rack and pinion if there is excessive leakage from the rack seals.

To install:

10.Install a new inner tie rod assembly.
11.While holding the rack with a suitable wrench nearest the rack end, tighten the inner tie rod nut (ball joint nut) using a suitable wrench to 74 ft. lbs. (100 Nm).

Make sure the tie rod rocks freely in the rack before staking it.

12.Support the rack and inner tie rod and stake both sides the inner tie rod, just behind the ball of the tie rod, to the rack assembly. Staking is accomplished by using a blunt instrument to crush a small slot in order to prevent the object from coming loose.
13.Inspect the stakes by trying to place a 0.010 inch (0.25 mm) feeler gauge between the stakes and the rack. The feeler gauge should not fit.
14.Apply a small amount of grease to the lip of the rack boot where it clamps to the inner tie rod spindle to allow the shaft to turn without twisting the bellows.
15.Install the boot with the larger inner clamp and tighten the clamp using J-22610 boot clamp pliers or equivalent.
16.Install a new outer clamp using needlenose pliers.
17.Install the jam nut onto the tie rod spindle.
18.Apply a small amount of grease to the outer tie rod threads and install the outer tie rod end using the same number of threads recorded during disassembly.
19.Repeat the procedure for the opposite side.
20.Reinstall the rack and pinion.
21.Reconnect the negative battery cable.
22.Check the alignment and set the toe adjustment to specification.
23.Torque the outer tie rod end jam nut to 50 ft. lbs. (68 Nm).