Tie Rod R&R

Inner

Removal

Caution: Do not change steering gear preload adjustment before moving inner tie rod from steering gear. Changing steering gear preload adjustment before moving inner tie rod could result in damage to pinion and steering gear. Caution: Pipe wrench must be placed at valve end of steering gear and positioned up against inner tie rod housing. Placing pipe wrench in any other location will cause damage to steering gear.

1. 1
   Raise and support vehicle.
2. 2
   Remove steering gear boot.
3. 3
   Bend tabs in order to release steering linkage inner tie rod retaining washer (1), Fig. 1.
4. 4
   Place a pipe wrench on steering gear rack next to steering linkage inner tie rod housing.
5. 5
   Place a wrench on flats of steering linkage inner tie rod housing (2), Fig. 1.
6. 6
   Rotate steering linkage inner tie rod housing counterclockwise while holding steering gear rack stationary until steering linkage inner tie rod separates from steering gear rack.
7. 7
   Remove steering linkage inner tie rod retaining washer. Discard washer.

Installation

1. 1
   Position NEW steering linkage inner tie rod retaining washer on steering gear rack.
2. 2
   Install steering linkage inner tie rod to steering gear rack.
3. 3
   Place a pipe wrench on steering gear rack next to steering linkage inner tie rod housing.
4. 4
   Place a torque wrench with a crows foot wrench attachment on flats of steering linkage inner tie rod housing and torque to 65 ft. lbs.
5. 5
   Bend tabs over on steering linkage inner tie rod retaining washer in order to secure inner tie rod.
6. 6
   Install steering gear boot.
7. 7
   Measure and adjust front toe.

Outer

Caution: Do not free ball stud by using a pickle fork or a wedge-type tool. Damage to seal or bushing may result. Do NOT tighten steering linkage inner tie rod nut during installation. Tighten nut after adjusting front toe.

1 Remove front tire and wheel assembly. 2 Loosen steering linkage outer tie rod nut, Fig. 2. 3 Place match marks on steering linkage inner tie rod nut and steering linkage inner tie rod. 4 Loosen steering linkage inner tie rod nut, Fig. 2. 5 Separate steering linkage outer tie rod from steering knuckle, using puller tool No. CH-24319-B, or equivalent, Fig. 2. 6 Clean tapered surface of steering knuckle. 7 Inspect steering linkage inner tie rod for bent or damaged threads. Replace steering linkage inner tie rod, as required. 8 Measure and adjust front toe. 9 Reverse procedure to install, noting following: a. To seat steering linkage inner tie rod in steering knuckle, install installer tool No. J-44015, or equivalent and torque to 30 ft. lbs. b. Remove installer tool No. J-44015, or equivalent and start steering linkage outer tie rod nut. Torque nut to 15 ft. lbs. and turn an additional 110°-130°.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

The tie rod removal and replacement (R&R) process for the Chevrolet Captiva 2013 is a critical procedure in maintaining the vehicle's steering and suspension system. To remove the inner tie rod, first, raise and support the vehicle securely. Remove the steering gear boot and bend the tabs to release the inner tie rod retaining washer. Use a pipe wrench on the steering gear rack and a regular wrench on the inner tie rod housing to rotate it counterclockwise and separate it from the steering gear rack. Discard the old retaining washer. For the outer tie rod, start by removing the front tire and wheel assembly. Loosen the outer tie rod nut and place match marks on the inner tie rod nut. Use a puller tool to separate the outer tie rod from the steering knuckle and clean the tapered surface. Inspect the inner tie rod for any damage and replace it if necessary.

During reinstallation, position a new retaining washer, attach the inner tie rod to the steering gear rack, and use a torque wrench to secure it to 65 ft. lbs. Bend the tabs over the retaining washer to secure it and reinstall the steering gear boot. For the outer tie rod, use the installer tool to seat it in the steering knuckle, torque the nut, and adjust the front toe to ensure proper alignment.