Oops unable to edit the title, should be Inner Track Rod

hello,

I have play in the near side inner track/tie rod joint. I have looked at various youtube videos and most use some sort of specialist tool for removal but these are quite expensive and only cover a certain size range. LINK1 LINK2Are they necessary or will a wide adjustable get in there? It seems that people have been managing with these for example LINK3 but how do I torque them up to correct amount?

Also are there recommended aftermarket makes to stick to with these type of parts? I have seen Joriley have Febi Bilstein and eurocarparts have Lemforder but also some very cheap no name stuff via ebay.

I am replacing quite a lot of the balljoints etc due is obvious signs of wear eg cracking rubber as well as lots of clonking and the front wheel able to be wobbled at 3 and 9 oclock.

Mark

Edited 6 June, 201016 yr by MarkyD

To do the track rod end ball joint all you need is 2 spanners 17s i think and a hammer.

1: Undo the track rode end chap it out with a hammer if it dose not pull out.

2: take 2 spanners and crack the joint at the thead end and then just unwinde the track rode end off (dont move the nut at the end so you dont mess your tracking up).

Then put the new 1 on in revase order.

To do the track rod end ball joint all you need is 2 spanners 17s i think and a hammer.

1: Undo the track rode end chap it out with a hammer if it dose not pull out.

2: take 2 spanners and crack the joint at the thead end and then just unwinde the track rode end off (dont move the nut at the end so you dont mess your tracking up).

Then put the new 1 on in revase order.

I have movement of the track rod where it goes into the steering rack under the gaiter so I need to undo at the inner end.

Car is 2002 Tdi estate ASV

Going from link3 it looks like you can do it just with spanners.