Questions about replacing the inner and outer tie rod ends on my 1st Gen Tundra

1) Is any old ball joint separator tool ok to use for separating the outer tie rod end too, or is there a slightly smaller one just for TREs that one should use? I don't own any ball joint separators yet, so it would be convenient for me to buy one tool that will work for both the tie rod ends AND the ball joints, if/when I replace those.

2) Some people say the inner TREs are left-hand threaded on one side of the truck and right-hand threaded on the other side. Is this true? If so, which one is lefty-tighty, righty-loosey ? (instead of normal righty-tighty lefty-loosey)

 

Get a Powerbuilt/OME loaner kit from Autozone. Yes, you want a smaller one or just hit it with a BFH.

I don't believe there's two different threadings of the inner tie rods, but I can't remember that far back when I did it. Just make sure you keep the shaft in the steering rack from spinning when loosening or tightening the inner tie rod.

 

I use this as a tie rod and ball joint separator. Works pretty well. Hitting the knuckle where it goes into with a hammer helps if it’s being stubborn.

Inner tie rods are the same thread pattern. Lefty loosey, righty tighty! Use a dab of red locktite on the threads upon installation and go get an alignment afterwards.

 

Great thank you.

Also: can the TRE replacement job be done just as easily only jacking up one corner of the truck at a time, or does it put a weird torque on the TREs unless you put both front sides up on jack stands?

 

You can jack one side at a time, no issues.

 

As stated above, one side at a time won’t hurt anything.

 

3lb hammer is all you need. That is the correct way to remove tapered joints.

 

I'd suggest blue loctite as opposed to red. Red is for permanent installations and requires heat to be removed. Blue is sufficient for this application.

 

Agreed on blue thread lock. 8ts what I used when I did mine.

Here's a link. There's a part list in a spoiler at the bottom of that link.

I used this video as a reference. I know it says 2007+, but it's the same concept.
https://youtu.be/477o4LtAsKk

 

That’s why you just use a little. You don’t want it coming loose. Red is typically what’s included in the TRE kits.