Your tie rods connect your steering assembly to your tires, allowing your vehicle to turn. Without them, your car certainly isn’t getting anywhere you want to go. So, when they wear down, how do you replace them?
Your tie rod end must be disconnected from the inner tie rod by removing the lock nut and separating it. Rotate the end counterclockwise while counting the turns to remove. Then, the inner tie rod boot must be removed, and if present in your model, the pin on the inner fastening assembly. Finally, use a tie rod removal tool to unscrew the fastening assembly and pull the old tie rod out.
Next, grease the new tie rod and reverse the steps to install. Install the tie rod end the number of turns you counted when removing.
What is a Tie Rod?
A tie rod connects the steering rod and the steering knuckle on each front tire. There is an adjusting sleeve between the inner and outer tie rod ends. It is these rods that push or pull the steering wheel when you make turns.
The inner tie rod connects to the steering rack, which places it closer to the vehicle’s center. Whereas, the outer tie rod consists of a ball joint that attaches the strut assembly to the steering knuckle, which connects to the knuckle.
How Do I Tell if My Tie Rods Are Bad?
- Bad Front End Alignment: Tie rods are an essential part of your car’s front end alignment. So, if you have worn, damaged, or broken tie rods, you’ll notice your front end alignment is off. You can check your front end alignment by letting go of the steering wheel and seeing if your car keeps going straight.
- Odd noises: If you hear unusual noises while driving, especially around corners, you may have a bad tie rod boot.
- Steering wheel vibrates or shakes: A steering wheel that shakes or vibrates could indicate a faulty tie rod since it is the tie rod that keeps your suspension system stable.
- Uneven tire wear: If you notice your tires wear unevenly, it could be bad tie rods. Faulty tie rods can cause your front end alignment to be off, which may cause uneven tire wear.
- Loose steering wheel: A steering wheel that does not respond when you turn it may be a sign of a loose tie rod end.
What Will I Need to Replace My Tie Rods
Replacing your tie rods will require some specialty tools in addition to basic hand tools including a socket set and wrenches. Specialty tools include an inner tie rod removal kit such as this one
Powerbuilt 648607 Inner Tie Rod Remover Kit
and preferably a ball joint separator such as this one.
Neiko 20687A Ball Joint Separator Tie Rod Remover Pickle Fork, 5 Piece Set
Replacing your Inner Tie Rods
Your inner tie rods are what connect your turning assembly to your outer tie rods. These are located underneath your vehicle. Here is how to replace them.
- Wear proper safety gear. These include safety gloves and goggles.
- Break the lug nuts. You just need to ensure they are loosened. Do not remove them yet.
- Jack up the vehicle. Make sure you place jack stands. You must place jack stands before you get under the vehicle. Also, check both rear wheels and apply the parking brake; otherwise, the car may roll backward.
- Remove the tires. Now that they are loosened, it should be easy to simply twist them off either with your hand or a lug nut wrench.
- Remove the lock nut joining the inner & outer tie rods. This will allow you to separate the inner and outer tie rods.
- Separate the tie rod end. With a ball joint separator fork, you can slip this between the two and hammer them apart. Without this tool, use a hammer and attempt to strike the threaded rod to break the two loose. Lift the inner tie rod free.
- Remove the tie rod end. Twist it counterclockwise while counting the number of revolutions. Write this down because you will need it when you reinstall it later.
- Remove the inner tie rod boot. The easiest way to do this will be to use wire cutters and snip the bands. Then, slide the boot off. You can use a flat head screwdriver to help but be careful not to tear the boot.
- Inspect the boot. If there are tears or cracks, you will need to replace the boot. Also, look at the boots clamps to get an idea of what size you will need for replacement. If there is a slot for a hose, this is to distribute pressure between the boots during turns. Simply reinsert it when you put the boot back on.
- Remove fastener pin. Some models use a pin on the hex fastener past the flexible joint. Use a screwdriver and knock this out. If it is stuck, use a hammer to help indent the screwdriver in.
- Unscrew the tie rod. Tools for removing inner tie rods come with several sizes to slip over the fastener. Choose one that fits your fastener and then slip the tool’s shaft over your tie rod to hold it. Now turn the tool counterclockwise to remove it; typically, you will use a socket wrench to do this.
- Screw the new tie rod on. First, twist it on by hand then use your tie rod removal tool to tighten it as much as you can.
- Reattach the boots. Use new clamps and tighten them down.
- Screw the tie rod end back on. This should be screwed onto the inner tie rod the number of times you counted when you removed it earlier.
- Reconnect the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. You might wish to use a new cotter pin if the old one was damaged during removal.
What Causes Failure?
Tie rods generally fail due to lack of lubrication. Although, they will wear out on their own eventually. Also, hitting curbs or large bumps will hasten the wear.
The best thing you can do to avoid replacing your tie rods is to grease the tie rod ends regularly.
What Happens When it Breaks While Driving?
If a tie rod breaks while driving, it would be hazardous since the tie rod controls the steering wheel.
If your tie rods show signs of wear or failure, they need to be promptly checked.
How to Check Your Tie Rod Ends?
You can check your own tie rod ends, if you want to save some money. The steps are described below.
- Make sure the steering wheel is unlocked. Also, make sure the key is in the accessory position; this should ensure the steering wheel is unlocked.
- Lift the car up. Carefully, lift the car up on both sides. It is best to do this on a flat surface. Then, place the jack under the strut arm on the side you are lifting. Make sure to use a jack stands.
- Check for excess wheel movement: Move the front tire on both sides of the car back and forth. Check for any extra movement. If you see movement in the ball area, the problem is likely with the outer tie rod. To test for a damaged inner tie rod, you will need someone to move the tire while you hold the inner tie rod to detect any excess movement.
How to Replace the Outer Tie Rod
A special tie rod tool can be useful for removing the outer tie rods. However, the process should not be too difficult. The steps are listed below.
- Park the Car on a Level Surface. Parking the car on a level surface will make the vehicle safer to work on.
- Jack the car up. Use a jack to lift the front end of the car up. Use jack stands to keep safe while working.
- Remove the wheels. Remove both of the front tires.
- Find the outer tie rod. Look at the steering knuckle. The outer tie rod is the shaft going through this knuckle. It will have a round head on top and a lock nut on the bottom.
- Find the inner tie rod. It is located behind the outer tie rod and attached to the steering rack.
- Remove the lock nut. Use a wrench to remove the lock nut connecting the outer tie rod to the steering knuckle. You will probably need a hammer or a ball joint separator tool to disconnect the tie rod ball joint.
- Disconnect from the inner tie rod. You will need to remove the pinch nut that connects the outer tie rod to the inner tie rod. Use a wrench to loosen this nut. Then, you can untwist it by hand.
- Reverse process. Reverse this process to install your new outer tie rod.
- Add grease. Fill the tie rod end with new grease.