inner tie rod tool or wrench size? 2004

[Koan]

Have an '04 pilot 141k miles. Noticed wear on inner and outer edges of front tires. Worse on passenger side. Jacked up front wheels. Grabbed tire at 9 and 3 o'clock and can feel toe play - left to right - worse on passenger side than driver's.

Grabbed both front tires at 12 and 6 o'clock, no play up and down so i assume tie rods are culprit. No steering rack leaks or binding, no bearing noise, struts not leaking and pass "bounce" test.

So - getting ready to replace probably both inner and outer tie rods. Want to use inner tie rod tool but do not know what size.

Please help by letting me know what size inner tie rod tool and or wrench is necessary. Thank you

[rocky]

Inner and outer edge wear usually indicative of low tire pressure.

[Koan]

You have a good point, however;


The wear is not even on both the inner and outer edge - the outer edge is worse

The wheel with more play has more wear

This would not explain the minor left to right toe play with no up and down wheel play, nor the slight play in the steering

The pressure has been checked and is adequate, but I appreciate the suggestion.

[hondapilotjim]

Originally posted by Koan
Have an '04 pilot 141k miles. Noticed wear on inner and outer edges of front tires. Worse on passenger side. Jacked up front wheels. Grabbed tire at 9 and 3 o'clock and can feel toe play - left to right - worse on passenger side than driver's.

Grabbed both front tires at 12 and 6 o'clock, no play up and down so i assume tie rods are culprit. No steering rack leaks or binding, no bearing noise, struts not leaking and pass "bounce" test.

So - getting ready to replace probably both inner and outer tie rods. Want to use inner tie rod tool but do not know what size.

Please help by letting me know what size inner tie rod tool and or wrench is necessary. Thank you

ask n jay

[Koan]

HondapilotJim

Jim,

I thought your post would genuinely help until I saw you and N Jay have a little tiff going.

I see you are responding to others' requests for help in a similar fashion - telling everyone to ask n jay. You and n jay can have at it as much as you want.

I respectfully suggest your responses to my posts are greatly appreciated if they are genuine. If they are a tool to continue your issue with n jay, please keep that between you and n jay.

Thank you .

Koan

[Michael Gee]

The size is 33.6MM.

[belundy]

I haven't seen many posts from N_Jay lately. He is really very knowledgeable and adds spice and humor to the forums.

Go to an O' Reilly or better auto parts store. They typically have the inner tied rod tool that you put down a deposit to take and refund when you bring it back. I thought it was 32 or 34mm. Harbor Freight also has a tie rod end kit that sometimes goes on sale for $30, if you hanker to own one.

[belundy]

Carefully check ball joints using a crow bar under the tire and feeling for joint movement. Some swear by using water pump pliers to see how much the joint compresses--ideally undetectable.

Wear on BOTH outer and inner edges is often under inflation or waiting too long to rotate front tires combined with camber issues (which can be caused by worn ball joints).

[Michael Gee]

I bought the Lisle 45750 kit and the supplied 33.6MM Crow's Foot fit just right.
I'm sure there is a host of other tools out there. I can attest for this one though.

[Koan]

belundy,

Thanks for the heads-up on the ball joints. I checked by jacking the front end up and using a 2x4 tried prying up the tire. I got no sense of and play at all. For the most part, the tire wear is on the outer edge of the front right tire. I do feel some toe play, and a bit more so on the right than the left, and the right outer shoulder is more worn, so I am going with tie rod ends. Going to replace both inner and outer.

[Koan]

Michael Gee

Thanks for the head's - up on the tie rod tool.

I appreciate the help.

Any hints or tips on this would be appreciated.

I assume it is wise to replace the boots as well?

[belundy]

Once you pull the steering boot/bellows back, you can get your fingers on the tie rod end ball and feel play really well.

Unless the steering rack boots are damaged, I wouldn't replace. You will have to buy either thin hose clamps to resecure the boots, or a the crimp type clamps and tool.

The general procedure is documented in other posts, including how to not mess up the toe settings.

Outer front tire edge wear can be a combination of camber and just the fact that they are on the front and wear due to turning. If the right tire is much more severely worn than the left, then do check the camber.

There is some play in the strut pinch bolts that gets you about 0.5 degrees of camber adjustment. You can always take a thin pencil and outline the pinch bolts, then loosen the bolts, pull the bottom of the wheel away from the car and tighten the bolts. You'll be able to tell from pencil marks how much and which direction you adjusted.

[Koan]

belundy

Thanks

I am not too concerned with the alignment settings as i am getting ready for new tires and will have the tire shop do an alignment anyway. The existing tires (Michelin Cross-Terrain) served me well, but are really shot.
I think they ahve about 70k miles on them.

I just didn't want them charging me and extra $500 for the tie rod ends.

I can feel some toe play when the car is jacked up (left right only), in addition to the feeling a very slight bit of free play in the steering when I drive.


Now I just need a clear day!

[harley909]

Just do a quick search as i think there is some good info out there on this.
I did mine and placed a post.

Inner Tie rods - Change