So I understand how to do a DIY alignment but I can't get the tie rod to turn. I pb blasted and loosened the brace boot things on either end of the tie rod, but it wont turn (using vice grips). Any pointers? Couldn't find any other threads with someone who had this problem.. Thanks.

 

You loosened both nuts correct? (not a stupid question...., just making sure).

Might also try tapping it with a hammer to help loosen up the gunk in there. Mine were on there pretty tightly when I changed my tie rods. It took two pair of vice grips and a bit of leverage. I put one vice grip on the drag link to keep it from rotating, the other on the adjusting sleeve and tried to squeeze the vice grips towards each other.

I also did my own alignment and at least 3 yrs later I still have not had any tire wear issues and it tracks straight down the road. Wish I would have notated the measurements I used though..

 

I use a 3 ft pipe wrench at work, they are a B$%th to turn, vice grips aint gonna cut it.

 

PB penetrating oil will help, or torches. I used a giant pipe wrench!

 

A propane torch will help to loosen the rust and as allready said you will need a pipewrench.

 

This on a long ratchet, http://www.google.com/products/catal...ed=0CFAQ8wIwBA# lots of penetrant (such as PB blaster), a good vice as well as anti siezing everything before reassembling will make tie rods more of a friend than an enemy. This is based on the idea of taking it completely off and cleaning it up before trying to align it, trust me, its the way to go. A good friend at work that has forgotten more about suspension components than I'll ever know taught me that (and loaned me the tool), it still took a little muscle but I was in and out on my tie rod install in about an hour, even with everything being pretty siezed up. No offense to anyone, but, vice grips most likely arent gonna get it done in most cases. Unless of course you love working too hard.

 

I hear you! I spent 2 hours in the driveway today with 2 pipe wrenches and a 3 foot breaker bar. I broke both of the clamp bolts and got so pissed I took it to the local shop who did the alignment for $54 bucks. I figured with all the money Ive saved this summer doing the heater core, ac evaporator, starter, alternator, suspension, u-joints, tune up, etc., myself, spending $54 to have someone do the alignment wasnt going to hurt. And they used a computerized machine to do it, which Im sure was more accurate than the tape measure, 2x4 & nail I was trying to use. My toe in was OUT by about 1/4" (it was OBVIOUS to the eye), which I attribute to a messed up u-joint.

 

Thanks for all the replies! And yeah it's kinda what I figured... Everything is just kinda rusted and it's going to take a little more time and planning than I hoped it would. I'll give it one more go tomorrow then I might just have to let a shop do it. Haha and while I was down there I noticed how shot and loose all my bushings and stuff are (now added to my to do list). Spray some more pb blaster in the morning then try again after school..

 

Nothing wrong with admitting "hey I might not be able to do this", I ran into it a couple months ago with a botched (me) locker install and had to drop a couple hundred to a shop to fix it as I was completely frusterated.
And I work on vehicles for a living. The taste of crow sucks but sometimes its more economical and less stressful to admit that your not up to the job and let the shop handle it while you go back to your homework so you'll be ready to handle it next time. Just my 2 cents, hope it helps.

 

Lol yeah I have no problem with not being able to do it, but I do have a prblem with paying someone $70 for something I "should" be able to do in an hour in my driveway. But it's whatever. It definantly needs to get done today whether I do it or not.