How to Replace an Outer Tie Rod End
Typically, your vehicle's tie rods are built strong enough to endure the hardships of everyday driving. In order to make sure these tie rods can withstand this, heavy duty tie rod ends need to be fitted securely onto the frame of your car's chassis. While most undercarriage joints are sealed and don't require much maintenance, just like everything else, they wear out and eventually need to be replaced. The tie rod end connects the tie rod itself to the steering knuckle and if it looks cracked or dry rotted, it probably needs to be replaced.
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Things You'll Need
- Jack
- Lug nut removal tool
- "Pickle fork"
- Open ended wrench
- Hammer
- Replacement tie rod
Instructions
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1
Using a lug nut removal tool, loosen the lug nuts from the front tire.
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2
After raising and supporting the vehicle with a jack, remove the tire.
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3
Using the lug nut removal tool, remove the retaining nut on the tie rod end. The tie rod end can be found in a ball-jointed post which is located in a hole in the steering knuckle. The nut on the end of this ball-jointed post should be removed, not the nut on the actual tie rod.
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4
Using your pickle fork and a hammer, separate the outer tie rod end from the steering knuckle.
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5
Loosen the stop nut on the outer tie rod away from the rod end.
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6
The tie rod will have a flat area. Hold this flat area in place with an open-ended wrench and twist off the outer tie rod end. Sometimes the tie rod will stick. If this happens, place it partway back in the steering knuckle and turn the tie rod clockwise. This should loosen it up.
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7
Turn the stop nut on the outer tie rod back to its original position. Twist the new tie rod end onto the tie rod until it hits the stop nut.
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8
Insert the tie rod end back into the corresponding hole in the steering knuckle where it originally was before you started. Take the tie rod end retaining nut you removed and replace it and tighten it.
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9
Replace the wheel and lower your car, making sure to tighten the lug nuts once your car is firmly back on the ground. Repeat these steps on the other side.
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Tips & Warnings
In order to ensure alignment, once you've replaced the tie rod ends, take your vehicle to a professional to be aligned unless you know how to do this yourself. Replacing old parts with new parts will typically cause your vehicle to become misaligned, even if just slightly.
If you are an amateur when it comes to working on vehicles, it is a much better idea to have this done by an auto mechanic.
References
- Photo Credit tire image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
