Ok, Merry Christmas to all.. So last night while scanning HF site I stumbled upon the inner tie rod removal tool on clearance for $16.95.Well it just so happens that the wife's 2003 Windstar needs a set of these. Has anyone used this tool and what was the outcome? It is supplied with 7 slotted adapters. I am hoping that one of these will fit her Windstar. And yes I brought the last one in stock and it is now resting within the confines of my tool assortment. Thanks, Ken
Harbor Freight Inner Tie Rod Tool.
- Thread starter Kenskip1
- Start date
As a non-pro auto repair specialist the HF Maddox inner tie rod tool set worked as designed for my Honda Pilot. Not sure I would have got the inner tie rod off x2 as easily.
Was that a returned item or damaged/missing parts at the clearance section?
Was that a returned item or damaged/missing parts at the clearance section?
This is not the Maddox but a discontinued model. If you new how little space there is on the Windstar you would know why I needed this tool. It was new in the box. All parts are accounted for.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
What's the part number?
Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977
Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!
www.harborfreight.com
Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977
Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!
63705 I had to get it off the owners manual.
Is this statement from personal experience or simply here say? Have you used this tool before?
For the price of it, I will gamble on it. I will give an unbiased opinion and not a lot of bull ****.
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
I have it and have used it without any issues.
I suspect it is made by the same people who make multiple other brands at that price point.
Well worth $15. The inner tie rods are not high torque and they should be covered by the boot. Corrosion shouldn't be an issue so as long as the kit has the right size, you'll be fine.
I suspect it is made by the same people who make multiple other brands at that price point.
Well worth $15. The inner tie rods are not high torque and they should be covered by the boot. Corrosion shouldn't be an issue so as long as the kit has the right size, you'll be fine.
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
That’s a good price. That’s the kit we had in school and it worked well. My teacher used it for years before that in a professional setting.
Debcrow
Well-known member
A little possible warning.
I went to change an inner tie rod on my son's girlfriends Ford Focus. The factory OEM tie rod DID NOT have the flats on either side for the normal tie rod tool to work. Managed to get it off after removing things that were in the way and using a pipe wrench. Afterword I found out there is another tie rod tool for this application that uses a serrated U bolt type clamp that a socket wrench extension fits into.
You may want to remove the boot clamps and slide it back to see if it has the flats for your tool to work before getting all set up to change them and then be unable to remove them. You can use standard hose clamps to reseal the boot.
I went to change an inner tie rod on my son's girlfriends Ford Focus. The factory OEM tie rod DID NOT have the flats on either side for the normal tie rod tool to work. Managed to get it off after removing things that were in the way and using a pipe wrench. Afterword I found out there is another tie rod tool for this application that uses a serrated U bolt type clamp that a socket wrench extension fits into.
You may want to remove the boot clamps and slide it back to see if it has the flats for your tool to work before getting all set up to change them and then be unable to remove them. You can use standard hose clamps to reseal the boot.
Raineman
Well-known member
The good thing is (as someone else mentioned) you only need it to work twice.
Briancapecoral
Well-known member
I have that one, have only used it once and works great.
bwringer
Well-known member
Same -- I have one of the cheap Pittsburgh tools, and it worked fine on a Toyota. The closest adapter in the kit wasn't an exact fit on the flats, but it was close enough to work just fine.
The newer Maddox version includes 12 adapters, and the Pittsburgh only seven. Otherwise, they're pretty much the same thing.
The newer Maddox version includes 12 adapters, and the Pittsburgh only seven. Otherwise, they're pretty much the same thing.
Bruce Amacker
Well-known member
Free rental at AutoZone.
Ditchdigger
Well-known member
I went to buy the Pittsburgh tie rod tool last night but it did not include the 38mm adapter I require so I bought the Maddox. I will find out this afternoon how well it works but it is a decently machined part
lolaetype
Well-known member
That looks pretty much like the set I've "borrowed" for free from the auto parts store. That one worked just fine, so I'd expect the HF tool to also work.
I got the HF tool some time ago (I think it was Pittsburgh branded at the time) to do my 2WD Ranger. It worked OK, except, at least for my Ranger's inner, it BARELY made the length. The insert could not entirely seat into the tool because of the length of the tie rod, so I was worried that it wouldn't be able to apply the necessary torque without "stripping" the notch, but it worked well enough for me to do the job.
Have a look at this.
www.astrotools.com
Looks identical to Harbor Freight to me.
Lisle's sells for $142 on Amazon
Astro 78806 Inner Tie Rod Removal Set
Inner Tie Rod Removal Set | Astro Pneumatic Tools
Made for use with inner tie rod ends, as well as rack and pinion assemblies This kit is not for use with "Saginaw" type rack and pinion assemblies ...
www.astrotools.com
Looks identical to Harbor Freight to me.
Lisle's sells for $142 on Amazon
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Ditchdigger
Well-known member
I just attempted to use the Maddox. It was a total failure. The "C" shaped inserts spread out and slipped at maybe 25ft/lbs.
I am going to attempt to return it, completely unusable.
I am going to attempt to return it, completely unusable.
ThePostman
Well-known member
This tool. It's not expensive, it's not big, and fits many vehicles. In an indie pro setting, it's the tool I reach for first to do most inner tie rods.
TheLawnRanger
Well-known member
Did you get the tool? If so, did it work?
This tool is indeed cheap and pretty adaptable handy tool .
Have one in the tool box & it paid for itself instantly although that easy for a 10 buck tool .
For those in a pinch you can make a clamp from a decent quality exhaust u-bolt or for ones with flats a cut/ground open end wrench jaw with an old socket or extension female square drive welded on to take ratchet extensions breaker bar as needed .
WWheeler
Well-known member
I have the older Pittsburgh set for at least 10 years now and I recently added the newer Maddox version. I needed the latter as the Pittsburgh set doesn't have the larger size I needed for a 4Runner, and the little u-clamp version wouldn't budge them. They both work well, **** the Maddox is a little beefier and has more adapter sizes.
So, after having all the needed items for a successful adventure of inner tie rod replacement, my Harbor freight tie rod tool worked exceptionally well. Not a problem except the new tie rod was stiff (insert pun) as a board. The job took a bit longer than I had anticipated however the driver side is next on the list. Summery, the $16 harbor Freight Tool gets a 5 Star rating in my book.
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