My son's 850 got damaged rack-and-pinion boot/bellow. Local garage says that they could change the boot but the car will need a wheel alignment.

I thought that after outer tie rod is disconnected from the wheel, it (the tie rod) can be removed counting # of revolutions it takes to remove the tie rod. Then new bellow/boot can be installed, and the tie rod re-installed with same # of revolutions.
Can anyone confirm the above?
Also, does anyone knows size of the nut holding tie rod to the wheel knuckle? Or better can anyone describe how to remove the outer tie rod..?

Thanks a lot.

PS
I did brakes, tune-ups, antenna must etc. on that car, but never done any suspension work on it-once tried to change ball jts but could not remove the nuts... just trying to save a few backs- R&P was changed 2 years ago...now boot is gone

 

Whenever I have replaced tie rod ends, I did that, counted the number of spins when taking it off, and counting them as I put it back on. You probably don't need an alignment after that, but I think for the job to be completely done you should get one, I mean it would be fine to drive on it, but I would get one just to be safe.

 

I would mark the tie-rod end with a correction fluid.

If your 850 hasn't had front-end alignment in the last 5 years or so, it may be worth the money. Note, however, that a reliable laser-type alignment costs minimum of $50 or so. Anything cheaper is not reliable and not worth the money either.


JPN

 

I replaced the inner tie rods and used the counting method. I ended up getting the alignment because the car just did not feel as nice as it did before. You can't seem to get it perfect when you do the counting method so just have them do the alignment.