[30ONA]

Had my suspension checked today and as suspected have some worn parts. I'm ok with mechanical work so want to do these jobs myself to keep costs down. I've checked some vids and have the workshop manual. Just wondering are there any special tools or tricks to watch out for. I'm going to do,
1. All shocks. Pretty comfortable with this.
2. Rack ends (inners)
3. Might as well to outers at the same time, I imagine it's all OEM.
4. Sway bar links.

[fordem]

If you're doing the tie rods make sure you get the locks - I don't know why they're not sold with the tie rods - special tools - it helps to have both a ball joint extractor and the tie rod tool, but it can be done without them - a pipe wrench works, but leaves ugly marks on the tie-rod - you'll need a hammer & cold chisel to release the locks.

[BlueSuzy]

Rack ends will probably need a large spanner and a hammer.

What are the arm bushes like? Cv boots? While its all apart..

Did them on my Prado...

[henno]

I did my tie rods a few times with nothing more than a spanner and a hammer. I have a ball joint extractor but a few whacks on the side of control arm with the hammer while pushing down (with the nut still wound on the ball joint a few threads) and it came right off every time.

[30ONA]

fordem wrote:

If you're doing the tie rods make sure you get the locks - I don't know why they're not sold with the tie rods - special tools - it helps to have both a ball joint extractor and the tie rod tool, but it can be done without them - a pipe wrench works, but leaves ugly marks on the tie-rod - you'll need a hammer & cold chisel to release the locks.

Do you have a pic of the locks?

[30ONA]

BlueSuzy wrote:

Rack ends will probably need a large spanner and a hammer.

What are the arm bushes like? Cv boots? While its all apart..

Did them on my Prado...

These weren't listed on the report as being an issue.

[fordem]

30ONA wrote:

Do you have a pic of the locks?

No pictures - I have new locks at home that I could take pictures of, but I'm travelling and won't get home for another week. It's a sort of cup shaped washer that locates on two flats on the end of the rack and you bend the edges of the cup over the base of the tie-rod.

[30ONA]

Like these http://vi.raptor.ebaydesc.com/ws/eBayIS ... 1252589677

[fordem]

Yup.

[30ONA]

Last question. I've watch more videos but they didn't show it.

When removing and you bend back the lock. Then undo the rack end. Do you need to hold the rack shaft while you loosen the rack end. I'm worrying with the pressure of undoing the rack end I could damage the rack or a seal.

[Darrell]

Workshop manual shows using a vise, not very useful. Who wants to take the rack off just for that . Hopefully somebody knows a easier way of holding it.

[fordem]

I've been concerned about that myself, but none of the rack end tools I've ever seen make allowances for it, so I'm guessing it doesn't happen.

[Scrawny]

I've replaced a heap of rack ends without holding the actual rack shaft, never had an issue

[30ONA]

Thanks all.

[fordem]

How I deal with it is by turning the steering so the rack is all the in on the side I'm working on, that way you have the shortest possible 'unsupported' length - when you think about it though, the rack is a length of approximately 25mm diameter high tensile steel rod, you probably couldn't bend it if you tried.