How to Change Lower Tie Rod Ends on an S-10 Blazer

Typicla tie-rod end and adjustment sleeve.

A worn out tie-rod end on your Chevy Blazer will cause play at the steering wheel. Here we will follow a few steps to replace it along with a couple of methods to keep as much wheel alignment as possible. Though you can have a mechanic do this for you, it is not a complicated process, and you can save some money by doing it yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Lug wrench Floor jack and jack stand Needle nose pliers Wrench set Tie-rod end separator Measuring tape or ruler Wheel bearing grease Grease gun Adjustment wrench Steering linkage installer New cotter pin

Instructions

1. Park your Chevy Blazer in a safe place and level surface. Make sure you have plenty of room around the front wheel you need to work on.

2. Loosen the wheel lugs with a lug wrench. Raise the vehicle using a floor jack and safely support in on a jack stand. Remove the tire.

3. Remove the cotter pin from the tie-rod end ball stud to steering knuckle retaining nut using needle-nose pliers; remove the retaining nut using a wrench.

4. Disengage the tie-rod end from the steering knuckle socket using a tie-rod end separator; then measure the length of the installed tie-rod end all the way to the tie-rod end connector or adjustment sleeve, including the lock nut between the sleeve and the tie-rod end.

5. Loosen the lock nut securing the tie-rod and to the connector or adjustment sleeve using a wrench or adjustment wrench; then unscrew the tie-rod end by hand counting the number of turns it takes to remove the tie-rod end from the adjustment sleeve.

6. Screw the new tie-rod end into the adjustment sleeve with the same number of turns it took to remove the old unit; then measure the installed tie-rod end length and compare your numbers with those obtained in Steps 4 and 5--this will help preserve front wheel alignment. Make any necessary adjustments and tighten the tie-rod end to the sleeve lock nut.

7. Set the tie-rod end stud into the steering knuckle socket and install the tie-rod end in place using a steering linkage installer. Install the tie rod-to-steering knuckle stud retaining nut and a new cotter pin. If required to do so, install the small grease valve that came with your new tie-rod end and fill the unit with wheel bearing grease using a grease gun.

8. Install the tire and lower the vehicle. Finish tightening the wheel lug nuts and make sure the steering linkage is working properly.

Tips & Warnings

• You can rent a tie-rod end separator and steering linkage installer at most auto parts stores.