How long to install Turbo Tie Rods?

[JeremyD]

On a 1987 Carrera? Wayne's book says 4 hours -

I'm going to change out my brake pads so will have the car jacked up anyway (and the wheels off) - also I consider myself to have a little above average mechnical skill - and a refrig full of beer in the garage - so what say you?

So, Turbo Tie Rods love you long time?

[ken_xman]

ha. I have the same beer fridge, 87 911, & turbo rods still in the box. I was wondering the same ?

[john walker's workshop]

about an hour if you have the tools and know how to separate the tie rod ends from the steering arms. (BFH).

[JeremyD]

Originally posted by john walker's workshop
about an hour if you have the tools and know how to separate the tie rod ends from the steering arms. (BFH).

Which you just use the tie rod seperating fork, right?

[Jgordon]

I was quoted an hour and a half by my mechanic, but I'd assume they are versed in this stuff.

[targa911man]

The trick is loosening the large brass circular nuts that the boots are attached to. It also acts as a locknut. There is a hub wrench (half-circle with a tooth) readily available at most bike shops which fits the notches on the brass thing, making the jobl a lot easier. You don't reuse them, so you can take channel locks or vise grips to them as well. I can attest that if you leave this step out (as Wayne's instructions do--sorry Wayne) it will in fact take you from 4 hours to never. Two hours if you loosen the brass nuts. Caveat--sometimes those brass things are real tight and it can take a considerable amount of time-consuming bad language to get them loose. Once you get them loose, you can then resume following Wayne's instructions and "simply unscrew" the tie rods from the rack.

[mikester]

It took me and a buddy about 2 hours to do them on his 914...I still need to do them on my 911.

[Jim Richards]

The BFH (per John Walker) combined with the bicycle hub wrench (per Dan - aka targa911man) makes this a reasonable project. After Dan and I learned on his car, I did this on mine and it took me a couple of hours by myself and in no particular hurry. I have a beer fridge too.

[targa911man]

One other thing--it may look like you don't need the spacers that come with the kit--put them on.

[JeremyD]

BFH = ?

[john walker's workshop]

big friggin hammer. it's the original tie rod end popper, way back to the first tapered tie rod ends. if you give the outer end of the steering arm a hard, sharp wack, or several, the tapered tie rod pin will pop out. i've never used a pickle fork in my life.
the inner lock ring can be loosened with a BFH and a long chisel or punch. set the chisel in one of the notches and rotate it in the loosening direction a bit. no need for special tools here.

[Jim Richards]

Actually, I remembered incorrectly. I did it like JWW said, using a BFH and a cold chisel on my car.

[JeremyD]

Originally posted by john walker's workshop
big friggin hammer. it's the original tie rod end popper, way back to the first tapered tie rod ends. if you give the outer end of the steering arm a hard, sharp wack, or several, the tapered tie rod pin will pop out. i've never used a pickle fork in my life.
the inner lock ring can be loosened with a BFH and a long chisel or punch. set the chisel in one of the notches and rotate it in the loosening direction a bit. no need for special tools here.

I love you man!

[djmcmath]

If you're mechanically inept, this project may take you an awful lot of beer. I consumed a significant amount of time (and beer) lying under my car trying to remove the tie rods. Like other suggest, a big pipe wrench on the brass lock nut really helps. Once you loosen that sucker, it's all over.

The other thing that'll get you is the boot -- be careful not to tear the boot when installing it. And be careful not to destroy the silly little boot-springs -- those buggers shred apart with a lot less force than you might think.

(shrug) I figure, having done it once, I could do it again in about 2 hours. Someone with skill who had read this thread a few times to get the gotchas could probably do it in about the same, or a bit better. Good luck.

Dan

[john walker's workshop]

silicone spray on the new boots. the new boots don't use the old springs.

[djmcmath]

Originally posted by john walker's workshop
silicone spray on the new boots. the new boots don't use the old springs.

No kidding? Bummer -- I put a lot of work into getting the old springs onto the new boots, too. Thanks for the info.

Dan

[Jeff Alton]

I just use a proper tie rod end removal tool that you tighten down on the rod until it pops. Real easy and no banging.

Jeff

[TC_SJ]

If my car is factory turbo look, does she came with turbo tie rod ?

Thanks
Tan

[Jeff Alton]

The short answer (I think) is no. But it may have been upgraded. My understanding is that was the one thing that was not "turbo spec".

Jeff

[anthony]

Jack it up and take a look.