I need to replace the outer and inner tie rods along with sway bar end links. My question is do I need to jack the car off the ground to replace these parts or can I just crawl under there and have at it? I'm wondering if suspension loading or geometry are going to have an effect.

 

na no need jack um...just chang um as is...

 

Jack it up. It will be easier, you will have more room to swing a hammer and you can turn the tires easily side to side as needed for room. Just my $.02

 

The issue is my car is parked on gravel, so I don't feel safe jacking it up there. If I have to jack it up I'd have to find somewhere to do it. Also, all my tools are from my BMW driving days so my jack is a low profile one that lifts to 18 or 19 inches. And my jackstands are regular height so they aren't tall enough to lift from the frame. My main concern is whether the suspension needs to be unloaded to replace the tie rods and end links.

 

Doesn't need to be jacked up but it does make it easier. When I did mine I put the jack under the lower ball joint on one side and raised it up just high enough to remove the wheel. Then again on the other side. Find a trick piece of plywood to put the jack on. Don't forget to chuck the rear tires.

 

Doesn't need to be jacked up but it does make it easier. When I did mine I put the jack under the lower ball joint on one side and raised it up just high enough to remove the wheel. Then again on the other side. Find a trick piece of plywood to put the jack on. Don't forget to chuck the rear tires.

 

The suspension doesn't need to be unloaded but I highly recommend unloading the front tires.

 

If you don't have room underneath get bigger tires... but you should be alright. As stated above you don't need to unload the suspension. I'd leave the sway bar disconnect though. Well as long as you don't mind a little body roll. I left mine out and it's not all that bad. She is not my dd though.

 

I did my tie rods a few weeks ago. I needed mine off the ground because the tapered shaft would not come out of the knuckle and I had to beat it pretty hard. The tires were absorbing a lot of the force otherwise.

Hope yours doesn't end up like mine....