Ok, I was replacing the battery the other day (and a big thank you to whomever designed that process!) when I started looking into replacing my passenger side inner tie rod end. I've already got the part and was told it was bad the last time I got some tires on the front. I verified that by pulling on the wheel while I had it jacked up to replace the battery and sure enough I can see the bushing is entirely gone at the rack. Since I already had the tire off and the air filter housing I decided to try and remove the rest of the air supply that runs to the back of the engine. I got as far as the next peice (that little sealed box) when I ran into a bolt or screw that I can't figure out how to get off there. It's what's holding the next peice of that air supply duct to the engine. I can't tell if it's a torx, hex or if I'm just supposed to pull the duct straight up and it will pop off of it. I think I'll be allright after that (was hoping I wouldn't have to remove the wipers, cowl and other support peice). That's a lot of work to get to one bolt in there for that tie rod!

But seriously on that battery, why not just hide it in the trunk or something if you've got jumper terminals in the engine compartment already? That's a lot of work for something that is often just a parking lot job.

 

and while i'm thinking about it, do i need a 5/8, 5/16 or 21/32 fork for popping out the ball joints?