Safety Glasses
Nitrile Gloves
Ratchet & Sockets
Lug Wrench
Needle Nose Pliers
Penetrating Oil
Clamps
Tie Rod Puller Tool
Inner Tie Rod Tool
Flathead Screwdriver
Thread Sealer
Grease Gun
Rack and Pinion Boot Bellow Kit
Floor Jack
Jack Stands
It’s also important to note that the vehicle will need an alignment after a tie rod repair.
Step 1: Prepare the Vehicle
Park the vehicle on a level surface. Jack up the corner of the vehicle where you’ll be working and put it on a stand. Learn how to properly jack up and support your vehicle here.
Remove the tire where you’ll be working.
Step 2: Remove the Outer Tie Rod
If the current tie rod has a castle nut, use needle nose pliers to pull out or break off the cotter pin. Otherwise, just remove the nylon-locking or flange-locking nut.
Use your socket and ratchet to remove the nut on the bottom of the outer tie rod end. In our case, it’s an 18mm socket.
Separate the outer tie rod from the steering knuckle with your tie rod puller tool.
You can also use a fork and hammer to drive the fork between the tie rod and steering knuckle to wedge it out.
Or, you can use a hammer on the old nut at the bottom of the tie rod to pop it out. Just be careful not to mushroom the bottom of the tie rod, or it will not go through the steering knuckle easily. If you are going to do it this way, you should put the nut back on. The head of the stud and the nut should be level, so you’re hitting the nut and protecting the bottom of the tie rod.
You can also use a fork and hammer to drive the fork between the tie rod and steering knuckle to wedge it out.
Or, you can use a hammer on the old nut at the bottom of the tie rod to pop it out. Just be careful not to mushroom the bottom of the tie rod, or it will not go through the steering knuckle easily. If you are going to do it this way, you should put the nut back on. The head of the stud and the nut should be level, so you’re hitting the nut and protecting the bottom of the tie rod.
Place the outer tie rod back in the steering knuckle to hold it while you use your wrench to break loose the tie rod adjustment/alignment nut.
Pull out the outer tie rod from the steering knuckle. Unscrew the outer tie rod end from the inner tie rod.
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Do It Right: Counting the number of turns will help with preliminary alignment when you install the new outer tie rod. That’ll make it a lot easier to drive to the alignment shop when you’re done. |
Step 3: Remove the Inner Tie Rod
Remove the clamp from the inner tie rod boot with pliers.
Pry the boot up carefully with a flathead screwdriver and spray penetrating oil around the small end of the boot so it will slide off the inner tie rod more easily.
Remove the back boot clamp with a flathead screwdriver. Push the screwdriver in and turn it to open the clamp.
In our case, these clamps are intended for a single installation, but it may be possible to reshape the clamp to securely hold the boot once you’ve installed the new inner tie rod. Remove the alignment nut and slide the boot off the end of the tie rod. Make sure the vent is disconnected from the vent tube at the top of the boot.
In our case, these clamps are intended for a single installation, but it may be possible to reshape the clamp to securely hold the boot once you’ve installed the new inner tie rod. Remove the alignment nut and slide the boot off the end of the tie rod. Make sure the vent is disconnected from the vent tube at the top of the boot.
Locate the right size adapter for your tie rod tool and place the tie rod tool adapter over the inner tie rod nut.
Remove the inner tie rod with an inner tie rod tool and ratchet.
Remove the inner tie rod with an inner tie rod tool and ratchet.
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Do It Right: Some vehicles require you to remove the retainer pin from the inner tie rod with a flathead screwdriver. This pin is made to keep the tie rod from unscrewing from the rack and pinion end. |
Clean the threads of the rack and pinion unit.
Step 4: Install New Inner Tie Rod
Apply the thread sealer specified by your vehicle’s manufacturer inside the new inner tie rod.
Install the new inner tie rod with the inner tie rod tool.
Install the new retainer pin. Slide on the boot and secure it with clamps or zip ties.
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Do It Right: Make sure the vent at the top of the boot is lined up correctly with the vent tube. |
Step 5: Install the New Outer Tie Rod
Put on the new alignment nut. Twist on the new outer tie rod.
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Do It Right: Turn it the number of times you counted when you removed the old one. |
Tighten the alignment nut against the outer tie rod to manufacturer specifications. If your application has a zerk fitting, install it on the outer tie rod and tighten it with a wrench.
Push the tie rod shaft down through the steering knuckle.
Install the nut at the bottom of the outer tie rod. Use a torque wrench to tighten the bottom nut to manufacturer specifications (in our case, 41 ft. lbs). In some cases, the new tie rod shaft will spin, and it may be necessary to use two open end wrenches to tighten it until the shaft is held in place.
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Do It Right: If you’re using an air wrench, don’t allow the rod shaft to spin. It’s designed to rotate but not to spin like a drill. This is important because it’s possible to damage the joint. |
Install the new cotter pin. If you have a zerk fitting, use a grease gun to fill the fitting with grease.
Step 6: Replace the Tire and Lower the Vehicle
Replace the tire, finger-tighten the lug nuts, and lower the vehicle.
Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern to manufacturer specifications.
The automotive repair work depicted in this series is performed under the direction of the manufacturer of the product featured. Prior to undertaking any of the demonstrated repairs on your vehicle, we suggest you consult with a certified mechanic or another professional who can adequately advise you of the proper repair or remedy required. O’Reilly Automotive Stores, Inc. and its affiliates (“O’Reilly”) disclaims any responsibility for injury or damage resulting from a viewer’s attempt to recreate the repairs shown in this series.