does anyone know exactly which tool is needed for removing my inner tie rod ends? links would be appreciated...i'm having trouble finding one for ford.

 

You only have outer tie rod ends. It's a rack and pinion setup. Go to any auto parts store, they have a tool that looks like a two prong fork. That's what you get them off with. Just tell them at the front counter what your trying to do and they should know which tool it is.

 

When I removed my inner tierods on my thunderbird (ford), all I used was two cresent wrenches. Be careful with the actual rack as nicking it can lead to premature failure. I actually didn't have to put too much pressure on the rack end; all you are trying to do with that is to keep it from rotating. The actual tierod came off pretty easily.

I don't know the setup on the mustang, but if it was like the birds; make sure you mark the length of the tierods combined, or you mark the threads to see how far connected they are. Once you are done, def. take it in for an alignment.

 

Theyare actually just "inner tie rods", not tie rod ends...[/align][/align]Fordhas a special tool for removing them[/align][/align][/align]This is the illustration from the shop manual as to how it's used:[/align][/align][/align]I do not know if it's a 100% necessity to have this special tool, however it appears to have some special spline on the business end.[/align][/align]Autozone has a "2 in 1" inner tie rod tool in their Loan-a-Tool program;[/align][/align]Lisle makes a "5 in 1" tool...[/align][/align]You might just want to look in to getting a rebuilt rack, they're around $200 at your FLAPS.There are probablyone or morelocal front-end shops near you, they might lend you the tool or do whatever work needs the tool for you.[/align]