How Hard is a DIY Outer Tie Rod End Replacement?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
How Hard is a DIY Outer Tie Rod End Replacement?
Looking to change the outer tie rod ends for the front and back. I've seen some videos on YT about how it's done. Does it simply entail loosening the nut on the tie rod and then twisting off the tie rod end and doing the reverse to put on a new end? 'm planning on just putting OEM ones on. Basically I was wondering if there is anything that I am missing or would need to look out for in order to do the job?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,392
Likes: 218
From: Merritt Island, FL
Yes, it's pretty straightforward, but sometimes the tapered shaft fitting where the "ball joint" end of the tie rod mates with the knuckle can be a little stuck, requiring a puller tool or careful use of a hammer or pickle fork. You will need an alignment after replacement, but you can get close by measuring and marking the position on the threads of the adjustment rod. Note that some tie rod ends may have different overall length than whatever is being replaced, so the overall length of the part needs to be taken into account as well.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 289
Likes: 102
From: Texas
The hardest part of the job is getting the tie rod off of the bushing. Make sure you can get an Allen key into it to hold it still while taking off the nut. Once you have that, you are 90% through any challenge left.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 209
Likes: 86
From: Erie PA
It probably depends on where your car is from, mine practically fell out once the nut was removed.
Measure stud to stud on the fronts, stud to somewhere repeatable on the rears, (write that number down!) then loosen the lock nut, it's much easier than after it's hanging there.
Take the nut off the stud, it's a lock nut so you will need the Allen wrench as posted, assuming they're OEM.
If it does not fall out, tap the end of the stud a few times. If that doesn't work tap sideways on the knuckle that it sits in. DON'T whack either one too hard, you can bend that aluminum.
If it still doesn't come out you will need a separator tool.
Then unscrew them, screw the new ones on approximately the same amount, right up to the lock nut, it doesn't hurt to use never seize.
Stick the stud in the hole, pull it in as far as possible, measure to see if you're close to that previous measurement that I hope you you wrote down, adjust as needed, tighten the nut, AND MEASURE/ADJUST AGAIN.
Now you can safely drive it down to the alignment shop to get it properly aligned.
Measure stud to stud on the fronts, stud to somewhere repeatable on the rears, (write that number down!) then loosen the lock nut, it's much easier than after it's hanging there.
Take the nut off the stud, it's a lock nut so you will need the Allen wrench as posted, assuming they're OEM.
If it does not fall out, tap the end of the stud a few times. If that doesn't work tap sideways on the knuckle that it sits in. DON'T whack either one too hard, you can bend that aluminum.
If it still doesn't come out you will need a separator tool.
Then unscrew them, screw the new ones on approximately the same amount, right up to the lock nut, it doesn't hurt to use never seize.
Stick the stud in the hole, pull it in as far as possible, measure to see if you're close to that previous measurement that I hope you you wrote down, adjust as needed, tighten the nut, AND MEASURE/ADJUST AGAIN.
Now you can safely drive it down to the alignment shop to get it properly aligned.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,669
Looking to change the outer tie rod ends for the front and back. I've seen some videos on YT about how it's done. Does it simply entail loosening the nut on the tie rod and then twisting off the tie rod end and doing the reverse to put on a new end? 'm planning on just putting OEM ones on. Basically I was wondering if there is anything that I am missing or would need to look out for in order to do the job?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,450
Likes: 410
From: Portland OR
Getting the ball joint out of the A-arm should be easy.
If the threaded portion where it screws onto the rack shaft is rusted together, you are gonna be pissed. Croil, or WD40’s new penetrating lube and heat will be your friends.
If the threaded portion where it screws onto the rack shaft is rusted together, you are gonna be pissed. Croil, or WD40’s new penetrating lube and heat will be your friends.
