So, how hard is it to remove inner and outer tie rods?

Last weekend I replaced the driver side lower ball joints, and if all goes well, this weekend I'll replace the passenger side.

Next up after that, I'm such a masochist, are the inner and outer tie rods.

How hard is this?

One of the threads in this forum recommends a Lisle 54500 Inner tie rod tool, 42 mm. Is this a good idea?

Also, I was planning on replacing my 13 year old OEM tie rods with Import Direct tie rods from O'Reilly's.

Several times a year I take my truck on rough four wheel drive required dirt roads when I go camping and fishing. I'm definitely not a four wheel enthusiast, but I definitely use and need four wheel drive several times a year.

Should I consider something more heavy duty.

Thanks so much.

 

To make a long story short, I was able to remove the inner tie rod with an 18" pipe wrench. I worked great.

I tried a couple of other ways first, but they did not work. I couldn't rent an inner tie rod tool that would fit, and I couldn't get the wide opening, narrow jaw crescent wrenches I bought to work either.

With the pipe wrench it was a piece of cake.