DIY 048 How To Replace Tie Rod Ends

[59lincolnrag]

How To Replace Tie rod ends

Tools needed:
- Socket set
- adjustable wrench
- jack stands
- Paper and pencil
- Tape measure

Proceedure:

- Turn the wheel to the right or left (You can gain more access room this way)

- Using a 6 point socket loosen the lug nuts

- Raise up the side of the car your working on

- Position the jack stand in place

- Loosen the lugs the rest of the way and remove the wheel. Place the wheel under the car for safety.

- Remove the cotter pin and discard.

- Measure the distance from the center of the tie rod to the end of the locknut on the tie rod. Write it down.?

- Loosen the lock nut with a 6 point socket or adjustable wrench.

- Remove the castle nut holding the tie rod end in place.

- Lift the tie rod end out of the hole it sits in. Use penetrating oil to soak it and tap it with a brass bar and hammer ( sometimes rapping the side of the knuckle arm with a hammer helps it pop out)

- Start unscrewing the tie rod end, SLOWLY. Count how many full turns it takes for it to come off. Write it down. ( this allows you to keep the alignment as TRUE as possible until you get it aligned)

- Take your new tie rod end and start screwing it on. Make as many full turns as it took to take off. Remember, you wrote the number down.

- Slide the tie rod stud back into the knuckle arm hole and start threading the castle nut back on. Snug it

- Tighten the lock nut now.

- Tighten the castle nut to the correct torque.

-Once the nut is tight and the hole is accessible, slide the new cotter pin through the hole all the way and bend it over.

- Measure the distance from the tie rod's center to the locknut and see if it matches. You can adjust if necessary.

- Replace the wheel and tighten lug nuts to specification.


- Repeat for the other side.