How to Replace a Tie Rod End in a Honda CR-V

When your Honda CR-V doesn't track properly, even after an alignment, you may have replace your tie rod ends. Because the tie rods affect the steering, when the tie rod ends sustain damage, it can affect how the wheels turn. The good news is that you can replace the ends yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Lug nut wrench
• Jack
• Jack stands
• Wrench or pliers
• Tie rod puller
• Marker or paint
• Pen and paper
• Anti-seize compound
• Torque wrench

Instructions

Remove the Tie Rod End

1. Purchase tie rod ends that are specific to your Honda CR-V's model and year, for tie rod ends vary from model year to model year. The tie rod ends often come with nuts and cotter pins (glorified bobby pins).

2. Loosen the lug nuts on the front tires, but don't remove them. Jack up your vehicle, then support it securely on jack stands. Remove the tires.

3. Use a wrench or piers to loosen the outer tie rod's locking nut, but do so by only 1/8th of a turn. Mark the tie rod end's position on the threaded portion of the tie rod with paint or a marker.

4. Take out the cotter pin or key and use a wrench or pliers to loosen and remove the castellated nut from the outer tie rod end's spindle.

5. Separate the tie rod and the steering knuckle with a tie rod puller.

6. Grasp the tie rod with a wrench while you screw off the tie rod end. Make sure you keep track of the number of turns it takes to remove it, and write that number down. It'll help you when you install the replacement tie rod end.

Replace the Tie Rod End

1. Put a coat of anti-seize compound on the threaded portion of the tie rod end, and screw on the lock nut for the tie rod end.

2. Screw on the tie rod end, making sure you do it in the same number of turns as it took to remove the original tie rod end (see Section One, Step 6).

3. Slip the tapered end of the tie rod end into the steering knuckle and tighten the castellated nut to 29 to 35 foot pounds. If your tie rod end doesn't come with a castellated nut, tighten that nut to 32 foot pounds.

4. Install the new cotter pin and tighten the tie rod end's lock nut. Repeat Sections 1 and 2 for the other tie rod end.

5. Reinstall the tires, tighten the lug nuts and get the Honda CR-V aligned.

Resources

• Auto Parts Warehouse has tie rod ends for the CR-V.
• Car Parts has tie rod removal tools that work with the CR-V.