You can follow this tutorial if you’re about to replace the outer tie rod end and/or inner tie rod in Volvo 850 (1991-1997), S70 V70 (1997 – 2000) or C70 (1007-2005) with TRW steering rack.
My 850 was needing to replace the outer tie rod. Given that to replace the inner tie rod is necessary to remove the outer, I took advantage and have replaced both at once.
This is a relatively simple job if you have the right tools and you are used to do some mechanical diy on your car.
Parts needed:
– Outer tie rod Left (Volvo Part Number: 271598; TRW JTE341; Lemforder 2013602)
– Outer tie rod Right (Volvo Part Number: 271599; TRW JTE339; Lemforder 2013702)
– Inner tie rod (Volvo Part Number: 35462662 – 3546266; TRW JAR160)
– Rack boot kit (if your’s are in good condition you can re-use them)
Tools needed:
– jack and axle stands
– 18mm spanner
– 19mm spanner
– 22mm spanner
– Locking pliers or pipe wrench
– Blue Loctite
– 34mm or adjustable spanner
– Torque wrench (desirable) and 18mm socket
In the end, you’ll need to get your car aligned by a professional.
Step 1. Jack up the front wheel of the car and support it on on axle stands. Never work on the car just standing on the jack.
Step 2. Remove the wheel
Step 3. Turn the steering wheel to the opposite side (1/8 before the end) from the one where you are working, remove the key from the ignition and turn the wheel to lock it.
Step 4. With the 22mm spanner, break loose the nut that locks the outer tie rod in position.
Step 5. With the 18mm spanner, remove the nut that holds the outer tie rod end to the hub. you might need to hold the end of the screw with a plier
Step 6. Remove the shaft from the hub assembly, and rotate the outer tie rod anti-clockwise to remove it. At this point, you should count the turns until it is unthreaded from the inner tie rod. This way, when installing the new parts, you can use the same turns to be not to far from the correct alignment. Mine was 12.5 turns.
If you are just replacing the outer tie rod, jump to Step 13
Step 7. Now, remove the inner tie rod boot, by removing the zip ties on both ends. (In some cases, the smaller end have a metal clamp).
Step 8. Remove the inner tie rod. The original Volvo inner tie rod doesn’t have flats for a wrench, so you’ll have to use the locking plier or the pipe wrench to rotate it anti-clockwise. You should also counter hold the steering shaft while doing it to protect the steering rack from damage. I used a pair of locking pliers to do this. Once it break loose, you’ll be able to rotate it by hand.
Step 9. Here you can see the old inner tie rod (bottom) next to the new one (on the top). The orange spacer should be transfered to the new tie rod. as you can notice, the new tie rod have flats for a 34mm wrench.
Step 10. Clean the thread on the new inner tie rod and on the steering rack end. Put some blue loctite (do not use red loctite!) on the tie rod thread and install it rotating by hand until you can.
Step 11. Now using the adjustable spanner or a 34mm spanner firmly tighten the inner tie rod. Don’t forget to counter hold the steering shaft. As you can see I used an adjustable spanner wich have an adaptor where I can use my torque wrench. This way I was able to torque the inner tie rod in place.
Step 12. Insert the inner tie rod boot and hold it in place with one zip tie on each end. I re-used the original boot as it was in good condition. If yours is damaged, use a new one.
Step 13. Now put the nut into the inner tie rod end, and then screw the outer tie rod into the inner tie rod. If you rotate the same number of turns of when disassembling, you should not be far from the correct alignment. Mine was 12.5 turns.
Step 14. Insert the outer tie rod end in the hub assembly and torque the nut to 70Nm.
Step 15. Tighten the nut that holds the outer tie rod in position using the 22mm spanner. You should counter hold the outer tie rod with the 19mm spanner.
Step 16. Put your wheel back on, tighten the nuts to 110Nm, and you’re done!
Don’t forget to go to your wheel alignment shop to get your Volvo aligned!
The instructions in this tutorial will work in the following models / years:
– 1991,1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 Volvo 850 Petrol and Diesel Engines
– 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 Volvo S70 Petrol and Diesel Engines
– 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 Volvo V70 Petrol and Diesel Engines
– 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 Volvo C70 Coupe and Convertible / Cabrio Petrol Engines