Is it possible to change the tie rod ends one at a time and not mess with the alignment?

 

Either way you will still need an alignment. But you won't be able to get the alignment done until all of the bad parts are replaced. You can try and line it up as close as you can by counting threads as you remove tie rod ends, or try and line it up close by doing the tape measure method. But either way, once all the loose parts have been replaced it will be a good idea to get it aligned to get your best tire wear!

 

Well the only bad part is the boot. I was just going to upgrade.

 

Just make sure and count how many times you spin it to back it off. That way you will get it pretty close back to spot on!

 

I'm sure if you do the tie rod ends one at a time WITH the wheels on the ground, you'd be able to get away with not getting an alignment.

 

Yeah and chock the wheels

 

I changed out all my tie rod boots when I first bought my XJ one at a time. I've had no problems at all.

 

just eye the new tie rod up with the old one (thread wise).
then using a tape measure, choose a tread block on your tires and measure across the front of the wheels and the back of the wheels and set the tie rods so that you are closer along the front between 1/16 and 1/8 of an inch.

kinda like this |..|

...................\../

this is your toe in.

 

Just got done replacing everything in the front end on my 95 XJ with all MOOG parts... tie rods, drag link, upper and lower ball joints, adjusting sleeves, track bar, sway bar links and steering stabilizer. i mocked everything up as close as i could while the old set up was on the jeep, taking close measurements of the old parts. Then i removed it all. When i re-installed the new parts i only had to make small adjustments for it to drive like normal. (i have access to an alignment machine, so i aligned it after i was done but it drove just fine) The moog tie rods have a different thread count so i would recommend measuring instead of counting the turns. If anyone has ever replaced everything at once, they can tell you - what a difference! Who would have ever thought an XJ would ride so nice...

 

If you are removing the outer tie rod ends you will have to pull the wheels either way. Because the tie rod wouldn't be able to spin off without moving the wheel out of the way anyway.