How to Replace an Inner Tie Rod End on a 1994 Thunderbird
The inner tie-rod ends on a 1994 Ford Thunderbird are part of the vehicle's front suspension. Removing a tie-rod end requires the use of a special tool called a two-jaw puller, and you need to be able to put the front end of the vehicle on jackstands. The parts you need for the replacement are a new inner tie-rod end, tie-rod end stud nut and cotter pin. After the installation of the new tie-rod end, you need to take the vehicle to a wheel alignment shop and have a front wheel alignment done.
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Things You'll Need
- Lug wrench
- Jack
- Jackstands
- Adjustable-jaw wrench
- Open-ended wrench
- Marker
- Needle-nosed pliers
- Two-jaw puller
- Tie-rod end
- Tie-rod end stud nut
- Cotter pin
- Torque wrench
Instructions
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1
Loosen the lug nuts using a lug wrench on the wheel where the tie-rod end is to be replaced. Jack up the front end of the vehicle and place it on jackstands. Remove the front wheel.
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2
Put an adjustable-jaw wrench on the tie-rod end and use it to hold the tie-rod end while you loosen the jam nut on the tie rod with an open-ended wrench. Back the jam nut off just enough to allow you to mark the position of the tie-rod threads in the tie-rod end. Mark the threads at the tie-rod end.
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3
Take out the cotter pin on the tie-rod end stud using needle-nosed pliers. Back off, but do not remove, the nut on the stud using an open-ended wrench. Use a two-jaw puller to remove the tie-rod end from the spindle arm. Complete the removal of the nut from the stud. Remove the tie-rod end from the tie rod by unscrewing it with your hands.
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4
Screw the new tie-rod end onto the tie rod up to the mark on the threads. Place the tie-rod end stud into the spindle arm. Tighten the jam nut using wrenches to hold the tie-rod end and tighten the jam nut. Screw a new nut on the stud and tighten it to 39 to 54 foot-pounds using a torque wrench. Insert a new cotter pin and turn its ends around the nut using needle-nosed pliers.
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5
Install the wheel on the wheel hub and then hand-tighten the lug nuts. Take the vehicle off of the jackstands. Tighten the lug nuts to 85 to 105 foot-pounds using a torque wrench.
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Tips & Warnings
Apply the parking brake and place blocks behind the rear wheels before jacking up the front end.
Tighten the stud nut to 39 foot-pounds, then add additional torque to place a castellation of the nut at the cotter pin hole.
The tie-rod end separates violently form the spindle if the stud nut is removed before pulling the tie-rod end from the spindle.
