How to Replace Tie-Rod Ends

Replacing tie-rod ends is an easy afternoon car repair.

Tie-rod ends are a critical part of your vehicles' front end alignment. The tie-rod is the piece of metal that attaches your steering wheel to the strut column of your vehicle, directly affecting your steering. If you are feeling front-end shimmy, hard steering or pulling from side to side, you may have worn tie-rod ends. Replacing tie-rod ends is not a difficult job and in the long run could end up saving you a couple of hundred dollars if you decide to do it yourself. Follow these simple steps to replace your tie-rod ends today.

Things You'll Need

• New tie-rod ends
• Pickle fork removal tool
• Socket wrenches
• Needle-nose pliers
• Jack and jack stands
• Chalk
• Large pliers

Instructions

1. Park the car in a level location, put the transmission in park, and set the parking brake. Jack the car up with the car jack and then set the jack stands under the frame of the car. Use the tire iron to remove the lug nuts from the two front wheels and then pull the wheels off of the car.

2. Remove the cotter key with the needle-nose pliers and then use the socket wrench to remove the castle nut on top of the old tie-rod end. Use the pickle fork removal tool to remove the tie-rod end from the steering knuckle (insert the ball joint in between the prongs of the fork and use a hammer to firmly pound the knuckle out). Mark the position of the tie-rod end on the steering knuckle using the piece of chalk and then unscrew the tie-rod end from the tie rod.

3. Screw the new tie-rod end into the tie-rod up to your chalk mark. Insert the ball joint into the tie-rod steering knuckle and then screw the castle nut back onto the top of the tie-rod end. Reinsert a new cotter key into the castle nut and then reinstall the wheels and lug nuts. Let the car back down off of the jacks and then take it for a test ride to see how the steering feels.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a grease gun to grease the new tie-rod ends and help prevent wear and tear as much as possible.

• Replace all rubber bushings, cotter pins and castellated nuts to prevent failure of the tie-rod ends.

Resources

• Illustrated How-To on Replacing Tie-Rod Ends