How to Change a Tie Rod End on a Car
The tie rod connects the steering assembly to the car's front wheels to turn them. The outer tie rod end is a ball in a socket that is located close to the front wheels of the car. Over time, the tie rod end will wear out and cause a squeaking, clunking or scraping noise when turning or when hitting a bump.
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Things You'll Need
- Jack and 2 jack stands
- Wheel chocks
- Lug nut wrench
- Rag
- Pliers or small vise grips
- Wrench set
- Tie rod end
- Safety glasses
Instructions
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1
Park the car on a level surface. Set the emergency brake. Place wheel chocks or blocks in front of and behind each back wheel.
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2
Break the tension on the lug nuts with a lug nut wrench on the wheel in front of the tie rod end while the car is on the ground.
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3
Place a jack under the frame behind the wheel that needs a replacement tie rod. Jack up the car. Place a jack stand under the frame and adjust it to fit snug against the frame. Position a second jack stand under the frame near the opposite front wheel for stability of the front end while removing the tie rod.
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4
Put on safety glasses and remove the tire's lug nuts and then the tire.
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5
Use pliers or small vice grips to remove the cotter pin castle nut on the tie rod end.
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6
Remove the castle nut from the tie rod end with a wrench.
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7
Use a ball joint puller tool to remove the tie rod from the steering knuckle. Place the edges of the ball joint puller on the sides of the tie rod end and turn the crank to push the steering knuckle out of the tie rod end, with the pin in the center of the ball joint puller.
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8
Remove the tie rod end from the adjustment sleeve by unscrewing the tie rod from the adjustment sleeve. Count the number of complete turns when removing the tie rod end. The same number of turns will be made when installing the new tie rod end.
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9
Place the new tie rod end into the adjustment sleeve and turn the same number of times that the removed tie rod end was turned for removal.
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10
Push the new tie rod end into the steering knuckle.
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11
Turn the castle nut to the specification of the tie rod end manufacturer.
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12
Replace the cotter pin with a new cotter pin. Do not use old cotter pins in a vehicle--always replace them.
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13
Replace the wheel and lug nuts. Jack the car off the jack stands and remove the jack stands. Lower the car off the jack. Tighten lug nuts completely, opposing nuts first, after the car is on the ground.
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1
Tips & Warnings
After replacing tie rods, take the car to a qualified garage for a proper front end alignment to reduce the risk of uneven wear on the tires.
Never rely on a jack to support the shifting weight of a vehicle while working on the vehicle. Always support the vehicle with stable jack stands and block the wheels, in front and behind, before moving under the vehicle.
References
- Photo Credit car image by bright from Fotolia.com
