Replacing the inner tie rod on your Chevy Silverado is something that should be done when your truck doesn't track straight any more, or if it still tracks crookedly after it's been aligned. This is something the amateur mechanic can do.
Purchase inner tie rods that are specific to your Chevy Silverado. Inner tie rods vary from model year to model year. These inner tie rods usually come with a new castellated nut as well as a cotter pin (think heavy-duty bobby pin).
Loosen the lug nuts on the front tires on the Chevy Silverado with a lug nut wrench, then lift the truck up with a jack. Replace the jack with jack stands, and put on the parking brake. Take off the wheels.
Take out the cotter pin, and loosen the castellated nut that's located on the ball stud, but don't remove it.
Separate the end of the tie rod from the steering knuckle with a two-jaw puller. Take off the castellated nut and pull the tie rod end away from the steering knuckle.
Remove the nut that holds the inner tie rod end to the relay rod, and take out the inner tie rod end.
Check the condition of the tie rod end on the inner tie rod, and replace it if necessary.
Put the inner tie rod end ball stud into the relay rod. Make sure it seals and tighten it to 40 foot pounds.
Tighten the clamp nuts, making sure that the bolt's center is nearly horizontal, and the adjuster tube's slot doesn't line up with the clamp's gap.
Install the tire, lower the vehicle and tighten the lug nuts to 105 foot pounds if the Silverado is 1990 and earlier, and 120 foot pounds if 1991 and later.
Repeat Sections One and Two for the inner tie rod on the other side.
Align the Chevy Silverado.
