stilllearning6

1989 Dynasty:
Is there a secret staking pin peened into the inner tie rod end under the bellows?

I am having difficulty trying to unscrew the inner tie rod end using the special tie rod removal tool; cannot budge it.

I cannot feel a secret staking pin with my fingers and it is too far buried within the chassis to get a look.

Do I simply apply more torque ?

stilllearning6

I applied more torque and it came off w/o snapping anything else.
There was no secret pin, no set screw.

Replacement inner tie rod end has a 4mm Allen head set screw, by AC Delco.

The replacement outer tie rod end came with a castle nut that did not reach/extend into the intersection of the hollowed-out cotter pin hole.
I added a thick fender washer to take up the slop.

Additionally, the new cotter pin, that was packed with the new outer tie rod end, was too thick to comfortably slide into the cotter pin hole.
I tried hammering it in and found that it bent at the head end before it would slide completely into the new tie rod end cotter pin hole.
Surprise. Never saw that happen to a cotter pin.

My opinion:
poor design/manufacturing as the new tie rod end did not mate very well with its new cotter pin nor with the new castle nut for the tie rod end spindle.
I bought parts from PartsGeek.com.
Inner and outer tie rod ends for driver side and passenger side including shipping was $ 56.
The jam nut was not as hefty.
The inner tie rod bar was thinner.
The out tie rod end was more delicate than OEM that I replaced.

stilllearning6

Additional info --

completed the driver side tie rods(inner and outer).
This time , another issue with AC Delco bought through PartsGeek.com.

The inner tie rod end comes with a 4mm Allen head set screw.
After having installed /torqued the inner tie rod end, I attempted to tighten the 4 mm Allen head set screw. I could not get the 4mm Allen wrench inserted into the screw head.
Removed the inner tie rod and found that the new Allen head set screw that I opened from within the cello wrapping had a chewed-up head.
Photo below.
I picked up a 62 cent new screw; size 5/16 inch per hardware store's measurement.
I experienced that the new screw would not thread all the way into the new tie rod.
Back to hardware store for a 5/16 inch tap: $7.
Cut new threads and finished reinstall.

ricks_RR

I would go to the vendors web site and contact them and explan all the problems you had and they may send you a refund.