Pfadt Rear Tie Rod Install Help - How the heck do you get the top bolt in!!!!!

[rsrsrs]

I just got done doing the passenger side with no problems. Now I'm sitting here trying to do the driver side and the damn bolt isn't going thru the top hole. There is zero room and its really pissing me off. For now since this is my daily driver I'm going to put the bolt in the opposite way and call it a night.

Any tips??

[kevin1106]

Gotta drop the rear cradle 2 inches

[kevin1106]

Use a jack to support it. Remove the 4 24mm bolts and lower it 2 inches to gain clearance.

[rsrsrs]

Got to be kidding me >:o

[fastkevman]

He's not kidding and Pfadt will tell you the same thing....it's not as bad as it sounds.

[L99CAMA2011]

Please do not remove the bolts completely, just unscrew them enough to drop the rear cradle enough but still have the bolts holding into the threaded area. The fuel tank is what's in the way. Do you have a heavy duty torque tool, make sure you tighten and torque those 4 bolts enough.

[ITGuy11]

Yep, lower the cradle. It isn't bad at all. When I installed my Pfadt toe rods I flipped the drivers side bolt around so it could be removed without having to lower the cradle.

[rsrsrs]

Originally Posted by fastkevman

He's not kidding and Pfadt will tell you the same thing....it's not as bad as it sounds.

I don't get why they don't say this in their instructions

Originally Posted by L99CAMA2011

Please do not remove the bolts completely, just unscrew them enough to drop the rear cradle enough but still have the bolts holding into the threaded area. The fuel tank is what's in the way. Do you have a heavy duty torque tool, make sure you tighten and torque those 4 bolts enough.

I have one but whats the torque for them?

Originally Posted by ITGuy11

Yep, lower the cradle. It isn't bad at all. When I installed my Pfadt toe rods I flipped the drivers side bolt around so it could be removed without having to lower the cradle.

Hmm, okay I guess the way I put the bolt in is okay then.

Thanks fellas. Didn't think I would have to lower the cradle. I looked up videos and even then nothing was said about that. Been a rough night with this rear suspension. Didn't even hook up 1 end link. I'll have to find a ride to work tomorrow :(

[Bill Waters]

I just got through doing this tonight, and was able to get the bolt in by using judicious pressure with a pry bar (I had just finished reinstalling my rear subframe after installing Pfadt subframe). Quite infuriating. If I had it to do over again I would drop the subframe (again). If you do that, I'd suggest backing off of the four bolts until you can just get the tie rod in. The bolts are quite long. You may wish to first remove one of the bolts with the others tight to get an idea of the extent to which it is safe to back them out The correct torque value for reinstallation is 100 ft-lbs.

HTH

Bill

[PfadtRacing]

Originally Posted by ITGuy11

Yep, lower the cradle. It isn't bad at all. When I installed my Pfadt toe rods I flipped the drivers side bolt around so it could be removed without having to lower the cradle.

This bolt really is pretty tricky to remove, there just isn't a whole lot of clearance between the bolt and tank to get the bolt completely out. The easiest way is to drop the subframe just a little bit on all 4 bolts, this should get you all the clearance you need. You CAN get it done without dropping the subframe slightly, but it's pretty tough and does generally involve a pry bar.

It's typically one of those installations where folks call into us wondering what it takes to get it removed, they take a short break from the project, and when they get back to it they're able to remove it no problem.

On reinstallation flip the bolt around so if you do have to disassemble again it's not nearly as difficult.