How to Install Tie Rods
A tie rod is a part of your vehicle’s steering linkage that connects the front steering spindles with the center steering link, which is controlled by the steering gear box. When the steering wheel is turned, the tie rod moves from side to side, rotating the front wheel spindles so the vehicle can negotiate turns. Tie rod ends will wear over time, and you could lose steering control if a tie rod breaks while you are driving. If your steering is feeling loose, a replacement may be necessary; fortunately, the repair is possible with a little know-how.
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Things You'll Need
- Hydraulic jack
- 2 jack stands
- Lug wrench
- Pliers
- Adjustable wrench
- Pickle fork
- 4 cotter pins
Instructions
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1
Jack the front of your vehicle up with a hydraulic jack and place jack stands under the frame on each side. Lower the hydraulic jack so that the vehicle’s weight is resting on the jack stands and the front wheels are hanging off the ground. Remove the lug nuts from both front wheels, turning a lug wrench counterclockwise. Remove the wheels and set them aside.
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2
Search underneath the car for where the outer tie rod end connects to the spindle, which is on the inner part of the front wheel hub. Straighten the cotter pin (a thick metal wire that keeps the nut from loosening while the car is being driven) on the tie rod end, holding the nut with a pair of pliers, and slide the cotter pin from the hole. Loosen and remove the holding nut with an adjustable wrench turned counterclockwise and set the nut aside. Remove the cotter pin and nut from the inner tie rod, which is attached to the center steering link, in the same fashion.
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3
Insert a pickle fork (a tool available from auto parts stores) in between the tie rod end and where it attaches to the spindle. Drive the pickle fork into the joint with a hammer until the tie rod end separates from the spindle.
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4
Separate the inner tie rod from the center steering link in the same fashion with the pickle fork and hammer. Remove the inner and outer tie rod as an assembly, making sure not to let the tie rod ends turn on their threads so that they will not lose their adjustment.
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5
Thread the new inner and outer tie rod ends to the new tie rod sleeve, using the old tie rod assembly as a template. Attach the new tie rod assembly to the center steering link and the spindle, using the original holding nuts tightened with an adjustable wrench. Tighten the adjusting sleeves on the inner and outer tie rod ends with an adjustable wrench.
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6
Insert new cotter pins into the holes in the mounting studs on the center steering link and the spindle. Bend the ends of the cotter pins over with a pair of pliers so that the pins do not vibrate out while the vehicle is in motion.
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Repeat these procedures for the inner and outer tie rod ends on the other side of the car. Replace the front wheels and tighten the lug nuts with a lug wrench. Raise the front of the car with a hydraulic jack and remove the jack stands. Lower the hydraulic hack until the wheels are on the ground.
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Tips & Warnings
On an older car, you may have to hit the pickle fork with the hammer several times to break the tie rod end free from the mounting stud due to rust.
Once your tie rod ends have been replaced, have the front suspension aligned as soon as possible.
