Tie Rods: Wheels Up or Down?

[bajajoaquin]

I'm looking to (finally) replace my tie rods this weekend. I'd prefer to do it at my house, which means I don't have a good, level spot to put the car on stands. Does this matter? I can't think of a reason why I couldn't leave the wheels on the ground, unless the angle makes something inaccessible.

Thoughts?

 

[mgm1986]

Haven't done this on a cbody before, maybe check the FSM to see what it says. I did tie rods on my S10 one side at a time. I think it's better to do it this way so you have a reference on the other side when putting it back together. No need to have the whole front end off the ground. I would measure tie rods before disassembly so you can put new ones on at close to the same length. Alignment after is still a good idea.

Of course jacking a car up on un-level ground isn't a safe idea but I've done it before so I can't tell you not too!

 

[Wollfen]

The best thing you can do when replacing tie rods is to count the number of turns when taking out each tie rod and screwing in by the same number of turns the new ones, this will get you very close to what the alignment was with the old tie rods. Mind you once the job is done it is best you go get a wheel alignment done. So whether you jack up the car or not isnt too important.

 

[65sporty]

Counting the no of turns is good, also I would remove the inner and outer together and measure the over all length. when it's all done get the alignment

 

[Bryan]

I have always done them with the wheels on the ground or ramps with the weight of the car on the wheels. In addition to counting the turns, I always spray a little white or yellow paint on the old threads before I take it off. The threads that were turned in will be clean when you pull it off, and give a good reference for the replacement.