FTO AUSTRALIA

i had a crack at this a while ago, as i needed to do it for rwc, but i couldnt get it off, so my mechanic let me off.

anyway i have to replace it now, issue i was having is i couldn't get any tool to fit. i dont want to have to buy the specialist tool. anyone have any special tricks?

A bigger hammer! \o/

Yep,

You could always try putting something under it when you lower the jack.I think this has worked for me before.

Take a look through my Galant thread, you will find pictures of me doing this job...
http://ftoaustralia.com/v3/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=28648

I assume you are talking about the outer tie rod end
Which part couldn't you get off?
The ball joint - Undo the nut but leave it on a couple of threads, then hold a hammer against the metal of the housing and hit the other side with another hammer, like this...

thanks guys, will let you know how it all goes.

PHIL069 wrote:Take a look through my Galant thread, you will find pictures of me doing this job...
http://ftoaustralia.com/v3/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=28648

I assume you are talking about the outer tie rod end
Which part couldn't you get off?
The ball joint - Undo the nut but leave it on a couple of threads, then hold a hammer against the metal of the housing and hit the other side with another hammer, like this...

Ball joint removal.jpg

sorry phil, wasn't referring to the outer tie rod end.
this is it below


i couldn't fit anything to undo it. i noticed in your thread, you dropped the steering rack. anything you recommend i can do to get it off?

First turn the steering full lock to get the inner tie rod out as far as you can for each side as you work on them.
You will notice in my thread that there is a washer that has been bent into the 2 flats on the inner tie rod, I used a cold chisel to straighten out the bends...leaving the rack in the car you will find it hard to get the chisel behind the bend. But it can be done...(on the Galant I had to do it on the car because I didn't do them up tight enough and had to redo them after I refit the rack, haven't tried this on the FTO)
To undo the tie rod once the washer is out of the way, I believe I used a 32mm spanner... But the spanner was too thick to fit on the rack so I had to grind the spanner to make it thinner.
Don't forget to get the tie rod back on really tight and don't forget to bend the lock washer back over.

If you find it too hard to do you will have to take the rack out, this is a prick of a job.
When I took the rack out of the FTO it took me many many hours of swearing.
You will have to drop the cross member to fit the rack out inbetween the member and body.
Pics of that are here...
http://ftoaustralia.com/v3/viewtopic.ph ... &start=160

in that case, you need to bend the lug back and use a shifter to loosen.

thanks phil and dstocks.
yeh phil i noticed you were hitting the washer with a chisel.

I was just considering dropping the rack, watched a couple videos, was starting to consider it, then i read your old thread. Sounds like a prick of a job. can't believe people suggested removing the engine hahaha
I think i will try my luck with grinding down the spanner to fit.

hopefully i won't have to remove the rack.
Thanks again for the help guys, really appreciate it.

No worries, good luck.
I just went and looked at my 32mm spanner and I had to grind it down to half it's original thickness.
Even consider bending or shortening the spanner if you have to, but make sure you have enough leverage left on the spanner.

im sure ive used a shifter on them before.

I just checked, the Galant and FTO have different part numbers for the inner rods.
Just check the spanner (or shifter) size on your new tie rod before you modify any tools.

use a small set of stillsons or locking multi grips. def wont need to remove rack but can be a sh*t job. Also locktite threads on new rack end before installing

ended up using a curved shifter. for anyone that has to do this, just buy a curved shifter, you don't need to modify anything.