Tie-rod ends — removal and installation
Removal
1. Loosen the wheel lug nuts. Raise the front of the vehicle, support it securely on jack stands, block the rear wheels and set the parking brake. Remove the front wheel.
2. Hold the tie-rod with a pair of locking pliers or wrench and loosen the jam nut enough to mark the position of the tie-rod end in relation to the threads (see illustrations).
17.2a Hold the tie rod end with a wrench and break the jam nut loose with another wrench
17.2b Back off the jam nut and mark the exposed threads to ensure that the new tie-rod end is threaded on the same number of turns
3. Remove the cotter pin and loosen the nut on the tie-rod end stud.
4. Disconnect the tie-rod from the steering knuckle arm with a puller (see illustration). Remove the nut and separate the tie-rod.
17.4 Install a small puller as shown to separate the tie-rod end from the steering knuckle
5. Unscrew the tie-rod end from the tie-rod.
Installation
6. Thread the tie-rod end on to the marked position and insert the tie-rod stud into the steering knuckle arm. Tighten the jam nut securely.
7. Install the castle nut on the stud and tighten it to the torque listed in this Chapter’s
8. Install the wheel and lug nuts. Lower the vehicle and tighten the lug nuts to the torque listed in the Tune-up and routine maintenance Specifications.
9. Have the alignment checked and, if necessary, adjusted.