John Deere 855D Steering rack issues with tracks

Before installing the tracks on our XUV, I check alignment and for worn parts . The steering racks inner tie rod was damaged .I'm assuming it was from damage to front end last winter season . 

It's not a huge repair normally but in this case it was . You can not buy an inner tie rod for steering racks on JD products for some unknown reason . What should have been a half hour repair ended up in 4 hours of research and planning to find parts for repair . 

As far as I could tell steering rack is made in India . 

 

I did buy one so I could repair old one $500 ++ Canadian  . This machine has to be ready to go and couldn't afford it being laid up if we wound up getting a freak snow storm .

In a normal repair you can pop outer tie rod off , remove boot and use a special tool to remove inner tie rod .

Removed bonnet ,push bar and winch to get better access . Radiator also removed . Most of the repair time was spent trying to get bottom rad clamp off rad .Other than that went pretty smooth.

Nice clean access to steering rack . 

Checking old part to the new one .

New parts to repair I researched on Moog site to find tread sizes bolt sizes to match . Wound up with this configuration . 

Part on left is an outer for a scion A and inner tie rod is from a PT cruiser .

Wasn't a prefect match but should do . The inner tie rod has lots of threads ,so cutting about 1.75" off got the dimensions I was looking for . The outer tie rod has the right taper ,should be a direct fit . Worst cause scenario is nut might have to be shimmed with a washer . Cost 130$ Canadian for the Moog parts (inner and outer )if it where just an inner of brand it would be under 50$.

 Repaired and put in parts room for next time . Steering has failed twice now using tracks . Its extremely important to go over curbs at a slow speed at a 90 degree angle . With all that extra mass on the front end things will bend and break very easily .   

Repair took a good 6 hours from start to finish . Next time might be 3.5 to 4 hours .