Tie rod

I need to replace an outer tie rod on my EVO. Does anyone know if there is a good way to do it and not have to go get an alignment after. I know you can count the turns, or use white out on the threads. Anyone have a way they do it? Thanks a lot!

Tape measure? $10 HF toe guage? And, your alignment is probably berkeleyed right now or you wouldn't be needing a tie rod end, so it's going to need to be fixed anyway.

Your toe in will be all that should change when swapping a tie rod end. Just check your toe with a tape measure (and a friend) before and set it right afterwards.

I've not worked on any mitsu stuff...so I could be off here if it's not a conventional setup.

Clem

Tie rod,, is that the rod that ties the piston to the crankshaft??

ronbros wrote: Tie rod,, is that the rod that ties the piston to the crankshaft??

that's the connecting rod, con rod for short. the tie rod is the rod that connects your front wheels to the rest of the steering.

Wow you guys respond quick! What do you go off of when you use a tape measure?

http://www.c-speedracing.com/howto/alignment/alignment.php

i used some boards and referenced to the rim, but if you have a straight around element to your tread pattern it should get you close enough.. reference front and back of the tire on the same groove.

that said, look around.. i found a local place that would put up with my specs and was only $35 or so

In the past, I've just wrapped a piece of tape around the inner tie rod shaft and used a steel rule marked in 64ths to get an accurate measurement. This method assumes the new and old tie rods are machined to the same spec. Compare before removal, if they aren't machined the same way (if one's shorter than the other) then this method won't work and you are pretty much stuck having it aligned after replacement.

Wrap tape around the tie rod shaft (make sure it's real clean or the tape won't stick!), measure to the lock nut. Loosen the lock nut about 1/2 turn so you can swap the outer tie rod. Run the new outer tie rod onto the shaft till it touches the nut, then back off 1/2 turn, then tighten the lock nut and recheck your measurement to the tape. Adjust as needed.

Thanks guys. I will try and get it close. I just don't like the fact of taking my car to a place and after the guy "test" drives it its never the same. I'm sure other people feel this way. Alignment is about the only job I don't do myself.