B6 Tie Rod DIY

**JEENYUS** · 03-24-2010 07:27 AM

would anyone be interested in this? I am doing mine and i am wondering if anyone would benefit from a DIY? i know there is one already for the Tie Rods but on the C6 and it is also not the best quality and not on the AZ format. Just let me know. i will be doing it soon.

**RLB6** · 03-24-2010 07:34 AM

Any DIY is valuable IMO. What would be more valuable to me is a wheel bearing DIY.

**JEENYUS** · 03-24-2010 08:31 AM

OK, i will do it. they are not that hard so it should be a pretty valuable DIY. sorry about the wheel bearing. dont they require a special VAG tool to seperate it?

**RLB6** · 03-24-2010 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by JEENYUS

dont they require a special VAG tool to seperate it?

The fronts are a bolt off/on affair. The rears require a press but not sure.

**Matt@EuropaParts** · 03-24-2010 08:55 AM

Yes, please. I need to replace mine...I need to guage whether it's something I can/want to DIY

**Mani** · 03-24-2010 09:02 AM

yes please... I got one replaced at the dealership recently... I want to do the other one myself...
Thanks!

**JEENYUS** · 03-24-2010 09:22 AM

ok, i will be doing just the outer for the time being so i will post that DIY when i get done.

**n7plus1** · 03-24-2010 09:31 AM

DO ETTT! and the wheel bearing would be nice too.

**bora_1_8t** · 03-24-2010 10:16 AM

When are you gonna do this write up I'm planing on doing mine this weekend and could use the info

**NyteEscape** · 03-24-2010 10:22 AM

+1 for the please do the DIY.

**JEENYUS** · 03-24-2010 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by bora_1_8t

When are you gonna do this write up I'm planing on doing mine this weekend and could use the info

sorry, it wont be till this weekend that i can do it.

**Nonana** · 08-03-2011 09:15 PM

You "Genius" when you gonna do this write up?

**rollaphillie** · 08-03-2011 10:20 PM

It's really simple to replace tie rods, all you have to do is take out the top nut and bolt/nut that goes through the tie rod.
Tap it out of the steering knuckle with a hammer/ pry bar
Loosen the nut on the threads of the tie rod
Then to twist it out I just used vice grips on the outer tie rod, and theres a spot for a wrench to stop the inner tie rod from spinning.
Hold the wrench in place and use the vice grips to twist it out.

Remember how many turns it takes to remove, and install with the same amount
Use anti seize on everything.

Don't know wrench sizes or anything but its all basic tools, that write up is just from memory

**Nonana** · 08-03-2011 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by rollaphillie

It's really simple to replace tie rods, all you have to do is take out the top nut and bolt/nut that goes through the tie rod.
Tap it out of the steering knuckle with a hammer/ pry bar
Loosen the nut on the threads of the tie rod
Then to twist it out I just used vice grips on the outer tie rod, and theres a spot for a wrench to stop the inner tie rod from spinning.
Hold the wrench in place and use the vice grips to twist it out.

Remember how many turns it takes to remove, and install with the same amount
Use anti seize on everything.

Don't know wrench sizes or anything but its all basic tools, that write up is just from memory

I'm a picture kind of guy.. i am a VISUAL/KINESTHETIC... show me once... i will remember forever.

**zamflip** · 08-04-2011 06:52 AM

Originally Posted by Nonana

I'm a picture kind of guy.. i am a VISUAL/KINESTHETIC... show me once... i will remember forever.

Same here, i gotta change mine too... 103k ;-/

**dubgli** · 08-04-2011 07:10 AM

If you just want to adjust, the tie rod still needs to come out of the knuckle correct?

**boy412** · 08-04-2011 07:25 AM

I know I've seen a DIY somewhere, although it may have been part of a coilover/suspension thread. Check Thomas's suspension thread? Its really not very involved. Minimal tools needed. The tricky bit is getting the tie rod end off the knuckle. Using a floor jack to raise the knuckle a bit helps.

Some people say if they are careful...and measure how far the outer is threaded onto the inner they didn't even need an alignment. I'm not sure I'd jeopardize a good set of tires to find out.

I got pretty far into the install when I discovered the ends are pretty seized onto the inner tie rods. PB Blaster and a torch wouldn't break them loose, so I'm not going to mess with it anymore (since I need a new rack anyway).

**alpinestar180** · 08-04-2011 07:39 AM

Originally Posted by dubgli

If you just want to adjust, the tie rod still needs to come out of the knuckle correct?

Nah, i'm pretty sure you can just turn the inner tie rod to adjust it them...as long as you losen the bolt.

**dubgli** · 08-04-2011 07:48 AM

yes, there are a few DIY that i have found on replacing the tie rods.. None of those DIY i believe are on audizine, they are from other audi forums.. I don't have the link to them readily available right now..

But is adjusting the tie rods the same steps as replacing them except you don't replace them?? I have not found a DIY on just adjusting the TIE RODS.. I brought my car into the shop to get aligned and they could not (perhaps would not) fix my off centered steering.. Maybe because i have a life time alignment with them and they don't get paid.??. I would like to attempt this myself.. I'm following a DIY procedure to check for your toe alignment. I've lined up strings by the passenger front and rear wheels to see if my toe was okay or not.. My front passeger wheel is not straight, it has a slightly negative toe. Now how to adjust the tie rod..?

**dubgli** · 08-04-2011 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by alpinestar180

Nah, i'm pretty sure you can just turn the inner tie rod to adjust it them...as long as you losen the bolt.

thanks.. was writing as you posted.. I'll check it out.

**alpinestar180** · 08-04-2011 07:52 AM

they are pretty stiff though. might need a big wrench.

**dubgli** · 08-04-2011 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by alpinestar180

they are pretty stiff though. might need a big wrench.

So question alpine, and thanks for the help..

Is there a place to grip the inner tierod? is it the piece the jam nut is tightened against?

**old guy** · 08-04-2011 08:09 AM

All you need to do to adjust the tie rod is to loosen the lock nut and turn the connecting rod. The threaded rod connecting the inner and outer tie rod will rotate freely.

**dubgli** · 08-04-2011 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by old guy

All you need to do to adjust the tie rod is to loosen the lock nut and turn the connecting rod. The threaded rod connecting the inner and outer tie rod will rotate freely.

hmm, perhaps that is the missing piece in my understanding.. so that threaded rod will rotate freely within the outer tie rod.. from looking at mine, it looks like the outer tie rod and the threaded bolt are one solid piece. As i was trying to take the lock nut off, it was moving the threaded rod and outer tie rod with it so i thought it was 1 solid piece.. hmm. okay.

so it freely rotates in the outer tie rod, but screws into/out of the inner tie rod.. that makes sense..

**Nonana** · 08-04-2011 10:10 AM

Nonana needs a picture book :(

**Charles.waite** · 08-04-2011 10:48 AM

For people that have done this: I need to do this soon to my b6 ( I suspect at least). How difficult is it? I'm fairly comfortable in the engine compartment doing vac line/check valve/PCV hose replacement. I would imagine compared to that this would be a walk in the park yeah? Also anti-sieze is a necessity? any other little things like that that should be noted?

**dubgli** · 08-04-2011 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by Nonana

Nonana needs a picture book :(

Refer to image below.. The outer tie rod connects to the knuckle and the inner attaches to the steering rack.

So if I understand Old Guy correctly, the threaded bolt you see attached to the outer tie rod end spins freely inside the spindle and screw in or out of the inner tie rod. i think..

**old guy** · 08-04-2011 10:57 AM

The inner tie rod shaft spins freely. You screw that onto the outer tie rod threaded shaft. How far you thread it will determine the amount of toe in or toe out. Once adjusted you use the lock nut to lock the two shafts together. The lock nut is missing from your picture. It threads onto the outer tie rod threaded shaft before assembling the inner and outer together.

**RLB6** · 08-04-2011 11:03 AM

If I were needing to replace my outer tie rod ends, I would replace the inners as well.

**Charles.waite** · 08-04-2011 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by RLB6

If I were needing to replace my outer tie rod ends, I would replace the inners as well.

I was under the impression that inner rod failure was much less common. The extra cost would make me shy away. Also I feel like i've read somewhere that removing the inners is a bitch...

**dubgli** · 08-04-2011 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by old guy

The inner tie rod shaft spins freely. You screw that onto the outer tie rod threaded shaft. How far you thread it will determine the amount of toe in or toe out. Once adjusted you use the lock nut to lock the two shafts together. The lock nut is missing from your picture. It threads onto the outer tie rod threaded shaft before assembling the inner and outer together.

OHH!!!!!!! thank you!

**boy412** · 08-05-2011 07:00 AM

Originally Posted by old guy

All you need to do to adjust the tie rod is to loosen the lock nut and turn the connecting rod. The threaded rod connecting the inner and outer tie rod will rotate freely.

It will as long as they aren't seized together!

AZ needs a new "smilie"...one holding a torch!

Originally Posted by Charles.waite

Also anti-sieze is a necessity?

Not a necessity per se but I would definitely use some anti-seize compound.

**Charles.waite** · 08-05-2011 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by boy412

Not a necessity per se but I would definitely use some anti-seize compound.

Cool. Probably should pick some up then before I tackle them.

**widgget** · 10-16-2012 03:03 PM

i've got the inner and outer tie rods, the outer ones seem support easy, unscrew, and replace basically. my question is how much more involved is replacing the inner ones also since i have them sitting here? can't find a good DIY on this anywhere.

**daihashi** · 10-16-2012 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by widgget

i've got the inner and outer tie rods, the outer ones seem support easy, unscrew, and replace basically. my question is how much more involved is replacing the inner ones also since i have them sitting here? can't find a good DIY on this anywhere.

They rent/loan out a tool for doing the inner tie rods, it looks like the picture below. I believe the size you need is 33mm; hopefully someone confirms that:

**widgget** · 10-16-2012 03:18 PM

not many places around here that rent stuff like that, i live in the woods, my town doesn't even have a gas station, so we are talking atleast an hour drive for that.

so my two options i guess are:

1. just replace the outers myself and get the bitch aligned (assuming they are not seized after 9 years of NH winters).
2. pay an extra 1.5 hours of labor to have my shop do it.

i got the S4 tie rods, are the S4 inners different then the A4 ones? or is it just the outer ends that are different?

opinions?

**evo_ski** · 10-16-2012 03:22 PM

Inners are exactly the same. The part number is even the same for the RS4. If you remove the outer end from the knuckle and the tie rod droops down the inner is on its last legs. Usually it should stay wherever you push it.

**daihashi** · 10-16-2012 03:26 PM

there's a video of a guy on youtube doing it with a pipe wrench, but I have no idea how he got enough room to put the wrench in there at all; let alone have enough room to work and break it free.