Hi guys. Anyone have the torque spec for the front inner tie rod? I only see the outer spec in the manual.

Both my inner and outer tie rods are shot and replacements are being shipped to me this week.

Surprisingly, I pulled the front wheels and checked the bushings for wear but only found issue with the tie rods. I did forget to unbolt the sway bar end and check those bushes but will do that when I change out the tie rods.

I say "surprisingly" because I would think with age I would have seen some dry rot or wear from sheer weight of the vehicle, but a happy surprise nonetheless:-)

Hi Sean,

Since the rack is a ZF Servotronic, this manual may have the info you need:

http://forum.bmwland.ru/index.php?ac...=post&id=26967

Depending on the rack model, it looks like the torque spec is 80+/-8 Nm or 100+/-10 Nm. Hopefully the model number is on the ZF tag on your rack. If you find it, please share it with the rest of us who will probably have to follow your lead replacing our tie rods sooner or later.

Cheers,

Don

Thank you Don. Much appreciated. I'm hoping the parts arrive for the weekend and I'll update the specs when I locate the tag on the steering rack.

Don, thanks again for your help. As it turns out, the steering rack part number is stamped on the driver's side - rearward facing - just past the tie rod boot. I have the 7852 without additional tie rod securing device so my torque spec for the inner tie rod is 100 +/- 10 Nm or 74 ft pounds.

For those interested, I bought the inner and outer tie rod ends for a Lincoln LS.

Length of inner tie rod was a match.
Length of outer tie rod was a match.

Outer tie rod ball joint bolt has a hex head @ the top which makes it too long to clear the brake caliper by about 3/8". I just cut off 3/8" with a hack saw. No impact to the thread and still enough to get a wrench on the top of the bolt if needed. You can see the portion I'm referring to above the nut in the picture.

Here is the part image