Mercury Sable Forum : “how do you change the inner tie rod and do you have pictures”

First of all what you need to know for sure is it the inner, or outer. Do you have a proper tools? You will need a special tie rod tool to do this.  I will try to put in to steps.  DO ONLY ONE SIDE AT A TIME.

1.  Take tire off, after jacking up the vehical and using jack stands.( if on a hill block it also)
2.  Take out the coter key from the nut on the outer tie rod, and remove nut.
3.  Get a 5lb hand sledge hammer and beat the piss out of the spot were the outer tie rod and spindle are connected untill they seperate.  (don't hit the stud on the outer tie rod, you will mushroom it at you  will be fucked iff u have to reuse it)
4.  Once you got the outer tie rod and spindle seperated get a wrench and start taking the outer rod off.                         (MAKE SURE TO COUNT THE TURNS, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR REASEMBLY)
5.  Move the dust cover back toward the rack and pinion by cutting the metal strap holding it in place.
6. Now if you don't have the special tie rod tool u need to get one, or barrow one from a shop, parts store, ora friend.
7.  Put your tool on the iner tie rod and take it off.
8.  Install your new parts in reverse of disassemble.
9.  Use a new metal strap for a dust cover.
10. When you get to the outer tie rod, barely get it started in the inner rod then turn it on the same number or turns as when you took it off. This will put you in about the right area for you allinment.
11. Put the nut and cotter key back on. O yeah get a grease gun and grease the outer tie rod too .
12. Tire on. vehical on ground.
13. If ur alimnet is fucked up you need to adjust your outer tie rod.
If it pulls to the right you need to losen up the outer tie rod one turn at a time till it goes straight.
If left, tighten up the outer tie rod one turn at a time.

15. Do the other side now.

If you can't get alinment right just take it to a shop and have them give you an alinment.

loosen the jamb nut before you undo the outer tie rod end