4x4 Workshop: Tie rod end replacement on a Toyota HDJ80

(Partner article by Stef Loyer - Team Toy 62)

Please note: Euro4x4parts publishes this information for the benefit of clients but cannot be held responsible for any use or misuse of this advice.

Technical summary : project vehicle Toyota HDJ80 (left hand drive).

Workshop mechanics carried out by Nico at VDS Concept in Conty (France), who is a self-proclaimed perfectionist. Every part removed is degreased and then repainted before refitting! He uses copper grease when refitting.

Please note: when replacing tie rod ends always have the tracking checked by a specialist.

Tools required : Penetrating oil (WD40 or similar), flat spanners, tape measure, ball joint extractor, blowtorch, copper grease (will not dry out)

Job time: about 2 hours.

Parts required & prices:

Workshop project: step-by-step photos

Liberally apply penetrating oil on every lock-nut that needs undoing:

Remove the front skid plate:

Disconnect the steering damper from the chassis:

Remove the split-pin (cotter pin) - we will be replacing it with a new one:

Loosen the two lock nuts - particularly easy with an air gun:

Loosen the two lock nuts using a flat spanner. Then remove the nuts to remove the steering link:

Separate the ball joints using a ball joint extractor or just sharp blows with a hammer:

The ball joints are released:

The front steering linkage is now removed, so it's time to remove the one that sits to the rear of the axle

Before removing the tie rods ends, don't forget to measure the distance between them so the replacement parts can be set to the same distance. This is an important step before checking the tracking:

Loosen the collars that hold the tie rod ends to the steering link and then remove. Once again, an air gun makes life much easier:

Remove the old tie rod ends. The blowtorch can be used if they are a bit stubborn:

Old versus new tie rod ends:

Use a wire brush (ideally mounted on a bench grinder) to clean-up the ends of the steering linkage

Degrease, clean and paint the steering linkage and then fit the new ball joints.

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Please note, the threads are different at each end, left or right. Refit the collars and then put the steering linkage back on the vehicle.

Retighten the lock nuts on the tie rod ends:

Secure the lock nuts using new split pins (cotter pins):

One tie rod end completed:

Repeat these steps for the second steering link

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The original steering damper was particularly tired, so we took the opportunity to fit a new one at the same time. The heavy-duty OME model is much better suited for this vehicle:

The two steering rods and the new steering damper are now in place:

Refit front skid plate:

The old ball joints and the steering damper - on their way to the bin!

Tools used during this job (ball joint extractor not shown):

The heavy-duty OME steering damper, commonly used on the HDJ80:

Workshop session carried out at VDS Concept in Conty (France): a big thanks to Nicolas (the boss and long time Toyota fan) for his help.

Contact: Chemin des Mottes 80160 Conty, France Tel: +33 (0)3.22.41.30.75 - vds.concept@orange.fr

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