I have a friend that wants me to work on his 04 X-type. They were told it needs inner and outer tie rod ends on one side. I've noticed there's no part number for a inner tie rod end and various parts websites state that it's not replaceable and a new rack is required. But e-bay list ones that are supposed to fit, but they are from unidentified aftermarket manufacturers.
I saw on the S-type forum that some people are using a inner tie rod end for a Lincoln LS V6.

Is there a similar cross compatability for the X-type?

 

deadernie, yes, you can get the inner tie rod joint. The car uses the same rack as a Ford Mondeo which may be the same one as the Lincoln LS. The inner tie rod end screws into the steering rack once you remove the protective boot. If you have a friend with a shop, he should be able to do the new inner/outer tie rod on one side in an hour or so. Then you will need an alignment after the fact.

 

I looked up Ford Contour (Mondeo) steering racks and it's a different part number is different than for the X-Type. I need to get the correct part on hand before I start the job because it's their only car.

I was really hoping that somebody that's done the job before could offer up a part number. I could find compatability info for S-Types but no luck for X-Types. All the usual part sources say that inner tire rods only come with a new rack.