How to Replace Tie Rod Ends

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Co-authored by Matthew Rava

Last Updated: August 4, 2024 Fact Checked

Replacing tie rod ends refers to repairing an integral part of a vehicle's steering mechanism. With a few basic tools and a little bit of know-how, this is a procedure that anyone, with a little bit of automotive experience, can perform on their own.

Quick Tie Rod End Replacement Guide

Remove the wheel by loosening the tire and jacking up the front of the car, then locate both tie rod ends on the wheel.
Loosen the pinch nut with a wrench and move it to touch the outer tie rod end. Then remove the cotter pin and castle nut.
Remove both tie rod ends and replace them with new tie rod ends. Repeat the process in reverse to put the wheel back on.

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Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Accessing the Tie Rod End

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This should be done with a tire iron or impact wrench. While on the ground the car's weight will keep the wheels from turning. This way you can safely loosen the lug nuts.
Refer to your service manual for jacking points and jack up your car. Stabilize the vehicle with jack stands and chock the rear tires. It is not safe to leave the vehicle suspended on the jack alone.

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Finish taking the lug nuts off of the wheel and remove it from the wheelbase. Slide the wheel under the car. This provides an extra safety measure in case the jack stands fail.
When you remove the wheel, you will be able to see the steering knuckle. There will be a shaft going through this knuckle with a castle nut on the bottom and a round head on top. This is the outer tie rod.
Cars often have an inner tie rod end as well. Start by locating the outer tie rod end. Follow the outer tie rod end underneath the car until it meets the inner tie rod end.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Removing the Tie Rod End

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This nut holds the outer tie rod end in place and prevents it from moving along the spindle of the inner tie rod end. Loosening it will allow you to twist the outer tie rod end. By design, the outer tie rod end must be twisted off from the inner tie rod end.^{[1]
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This will mark the location of your outer tie rod end and you will know how far to thread on the replacement. Do not tighten the pinch nut. If you do, you will not be able to easily turn the outer tie rod end.^{[2]
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This pin will be located where the tie rod end meets the steering knuckle. Use a pair of needle nose pliers to straighten out the pin and then pull it out. Throw the cotter pin away. It should not be reused.^{[3]
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This is the nut that the cotter pin went through. It holds the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Removing it will allow you to remove the outer tie rod end.
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Remove the outer tie rod end from the steering knuckle. To do this, you can use a tie rod puller or a ball joint separator.
- Insert the tool between the ball joint of the outer tie rod end and the steering knuckle.
- Use it to pry the shaft out of the steering knuckle.
To do this, you will twist the outer tie rod end off of the spindle of the inner tie rod end. Turn it counterclockwise to loosen. Remember to count exactly how many turns it takes you so that you can tighten the replacement the same number of turns. This helps keep your alignment as close as possible.^{[4]
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Only do this if you are replacing both inner and outer tie rod ends. You will need to remove the pinch nut. Next, take a pair of pliers and remove the clamp from the boot on the inside end of the inner tie rod end. There is another clip on the far side of the boot that you will have to break with a flat head screwdriver. Insert the screwdriver and twist to break it. Now you can slide the boot off.^{[5]
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Remove the inner tie rod end. Some cars have a small pin that will need to be removed before the rod end can be turned. Locate the pin and with a flathead screwdriver pry the pin out. You might need to give the flathead a few taps with a hammer to get it started. Once the pin has been removed you can remove the tie rod end. To do this, you will need a large, deep socket that fits over the inner tie rod end. There is also a tie rod removal tool that will make the job much easier that can you can use from any part store that does the loan a tool program. Twist the inner tie rod end counterclockwise until it is loose. Pull it off of the car.
- If you can gain access to the inner tie rod end, this can possibly be done with a wrench, if necessary.
- You can get an adaptor that fits over the inner tie rod end and makes it easier to fit a socket onto the inner tie rod.^{[6]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Replacing the Tie Rod End

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If there is any doubt that the new tie rod end is compatible with your vehicle, do not use it until you consult a mechanic. They should be approximately the same shape and size. If they are exactly the same length that is even better.^{[7]
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This should be done with the same socket or wrench as before. However, you do need to check your owner's manual or service manual to find the proper torque value. Use a torque wrench to ensure that you twist the inner tie rod end to the correct torque values.^{[8]
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Slide the boot back onto the inner tie rod. You will have to replace the clip that you broke, as they are a one time use only. It is ideal to have one before you start the job. Once you slide the boot up the inner tie rod end and into place, fasten the new clip. Then use the pliers to refasten the second clip on the boot.^{[9]
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- There is a vent port on the boot that must be lined up with a tube on the steering gear.^{[10]
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This must be done before you try to put the outer tie rod end on. Take the pinch nut far enough up the shaft so that it will not interfere with the outer tie rod end being put on.
You should thread it by hand exactly the same number of turns that it took to take it off. Then thread the pinch nut up to the outer tie rod end. Tighten the pinch nut to keep the outer tie rod end from moving.^{[11]
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The shaft of the tie rod end will fit down through the knuckle just as the old tie rod end did. You can move the knuckle and the tie rod end as needed to get them to align properly.^{[12]
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This will secure the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Check your owner's manual or service manual for exact torque specifications for this bolt.
Make sure that the castle nut aligns with the hole in the tie rod end shaft. Slide the cotter pin through the hole and bend the ends back to wrap it around the castle nut. This prevents driving vibrations from loosening the castle nut. Always be sure to install a new cotter pin. Do not reuse the old pen.
Some tie rod ends come with a grease fitting that simply screws into the top of the tie rod end. If this is the case for you, install it now.
This is only necessary if your tie rod ends come with a grease fitting. Apply grease until it is visible on the outside of the tie rod end with a grease gun. You should put use enough grease that you see it on the outside of the tie rod end.
This will prevent damage to the brakes and rotors.
Use an open end wrench to tighten the pinch nut as tight as you can against the tie rod end. This will ensure that your vehicle is as close as possible to being back in alignment.^{[13]
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Tighten the lugs by hand in a star pattern.
Use the floor jack to lift the car off of the jack stands and then lower it to the ground slowly.
Use a lug wrench or impact to tighten the lug nuts to the specified torque. Again, tighten in a star pattern.
If you need to replace both sides, the process is the same.
Now that you have altered parts steering system, you will need to have your front end aligned by a professional to avoid uneven wear and tear.^{[14]
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Community Q&A

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Question

Should I put a pin back in the inner tie rod where it bolts onto the rack and pinion on a 2008 Ford Mustang GT?

Community Answer

Inner tie rods thread on to the rack and do not use a castle nut or cotter pin, they thread on to the rack, and make sure to use RED loctite. They use a washer that you need to bend in so if the tie rod backs off, the washer acts as a safety. The outer tie rod uses a castle nut with a cotter pin; if you are tightening the nut, do not back it off to put the cotter pin in, always tighten to get it in so the taper between the tie rod and the knuckles steering arm is not loose.

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Question

Are the tie rods the same length on both sides?

Community Answer

Not that I've seen. Look up the part numbers for the right and left side outer tie rod ends to verify. If they are different part numbers, they are not the same.

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Do I install a tie rod end top or bottom on with the castle nut?

Community Answer

Yes, you need to make sure your threads on the top of the nut are the same as the ones on the other nuts.

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Tips

Some of these instructions may vary slightly depending on the make, model and year of your vehicle.

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Rotate the steering wheel toward you. This will make it easier to reach the steering components for the side on which you are working.

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Be sure to select a work area that is free of any clutter and provides enough spare room for you to move easily around the vehicle.

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Warnings

It is always in the best interest, of both personal safety and vehicle longevity, to not improvise for proper tools.

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It is generally not recommended to reinstall any components removed during the installation.

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Things You'll Need

Accessing the Tie Rod End
- Tire Iron or Impact Wrench
- Floor Jack
- Jack Stands
Removing the Tie Rod Ends
- Needle Nose Pliers
- Open End Wrench
- Ratchet or Impact
- Tie Rod Puller
- Hammer or Mallet
Installing New Tie Rod Ends
- New Tie Rod End
- Grease Gun