DIY Outer Tie Rod End Replacement

[oneUntameableGirl]

Thank you. My manual said nothing about greasing it up. Now I need to get a grease gun and will be ready to work on my car myself this weekend.

[SeventhSamurai72]

Thank you very much for taking the time and effort to post this.

[americanproperty23]

What brand and model of impact wrench is that? Thank you

[roadragecustoms]

@americanproperty23 Ingersol Rand 2131

[axion11399]

Very helpful and simplified. Thanks.

[BIGKEV420]

I have the locking nut on the tie rod end instead of the cotter pin. I got it about half way and then it wouldnt budge. the whole bolt it is attached to is spinning. Tried wrenching on it some more with a leverage bar and got it like 3/4 of the way. But WONT move anymore. Am i doing something wrong? Maybe i stripped the damn threads. Can u help me?

[TheWopper78]

This guy knows what he's doin, well done vid's very easy to follow.

[slickkapone]

My steering wheel wanders when i'm going over uneven surfaces, like if there's a bump on one front wheel and the other wheel is on flat ground, the wheel will pull to the bump side. I'm scared about going to a mechanic because I don't want to be paying for something I don't really need. Do you think tie rod ends and an alignment would solve this, or should I look even further. I just want to have a nice crisp stable steering wheel response like an Acura TL is supposed to. It's sloppy!!

[TheGravatrax]

That looks so easy, yeah i think ill do this rather than pay someone around 100$ total do it.

[roberiquek]

Myth busters ftw!

[ShadowLink723]

I didn't see a cotter pin on the old tie rod end, but one on the new. Was there no cotter pin on the old or did you not show the removal?

[roadragecustoms]

@ShadowLink723 The old one had a lock nut.

[ShadowLink723]

how do you get the lock nut off of the ball stud? Mine is loose until the end then it binds up.

[roadragecustoms]

@ShadowLink723 I used a 1/2 inch impact wrench. Sometimes, if the stud starts to turn with the nut, I hold the nut with a wrench & turn the hex on the end of the stud clockwise to loosen it.

[ycformosa]

Help, when I loosen the jam nut, should I go clock-wise or counter clockwise?

please respond

[roadragecustoms]

@ycformosa Depends which way you are looking at it & whether it has right or left hand threads. This one was right hand threads, but I had to turn it clockwise to loosen it because it was "jammed" up against the outer tie rod end & I needed to loosen the nut away from it. You have to look at these backwards sometimes.

[ycformosa]

@roadragecustoms

thanks

[ViolentCop]

Thank you for posting this.

[mk25121994]

what's the name of that pin at 1:48?

[roadragecustoms]

@mk25121994 That's a Cotter pin.

[juli3dapana]

helped alot. thank u



[RaWxGuitarist]

how would you check the inner tie rod?

[roadragecustoms]

@RaWxGuitarist Watch my other video "Replacing a Rack & Pinion Type Inner Tie Rod DIY". It is in the related videos & video responses for this video.

[retroguitarmaster]

@roadragecustoms I replaced my two outer tie rods today on my lexus and when I took it for a spin the front suspension was taking minor bumps on the road too hard making a hard pothole noise, I have 20" wheels and 225mm tires but it did not do that before the tie rod installation, what can it be, too out alignment or something? I'm also afraid I put the washers too tight as I did use an impact wrench on them but I don't know.

[roadragecustoms]

@retroguitarmaster Is the alignment out so far that the tires are scrubbing on the fenders when you hit bumps? Either way, you need an alignment. The alignment shop should let you know if the tie rod nuts were too loose.

[retroguitarmaster]

@roadragecustoms well now that you mention it, i think the tires do scrub the inner fender when i turn the wheel completely to either side but i don't think it hits the top of the fender when i hit a little bump, that might be the problem right, alignment? oh and thanks for answering.

[roadragecustoms]

@retroguitarmaster If the alignment doesn't do anything else, it should give a suspension guy the chance to look it over for problems while doing what it already needs after the tie rod. Did you possibly set the tire pressure too high while you were doing the tie rods? High tire pressure will make a vehicle ride hard over bumps. So will large diameter rims & small sidewall tires.

[DodgeMan360]

@roadragecustoms Is there any real safety concern for not doing an alignment after changing one sides tie rod end? The rest of my suspension is tight with zero play besides the passenger tie rod end, im not too worried about tire wear as I need to replace them soon also, and I plan on changing the struts soon aswell and was hoping to wait until then for alignment. What do you think? Thanks!

[roadragecustoms]

@DodgeMan360 Tire wear would be my #1 concern. If you put the new tie rod end back in the exact same place, it won't be as bad, but you should still get an alignment as soon as you can.

[DodgeMan360]

@roadragecustoms I ended up knocking the alignment off really bad, adjusted it so its now driving straight, but I will get it aligned here this week, it probably needs it anyways. Thanks!

[RightBeatRadio]

Beautiful video. Thanks for posting this!

[hockeychaky]

What if the nuts aren't loosening, even after hitting the wrench with a hammer to get more force they won't budge and I don't have any air tools. Are there any other tricks to loosen them or can I go some where and have them loosen them for me?

[roadragecustoms]

@hockeychaky You didn't specify which nut(s) you were having trouble with. Maybe start by applying some penetrating oil.

[hockeychaky]

@roadragecustoms both of the nuts (jam nut and the bottom one) on the outer tie rod.

[roadragecustoms]

@hockeychaky Loosen the jamb nut first. If it is giving that much trouble, spray it with penetrating oil first. Use a good quality, properly sized wrench. Snap On Flank Drive works well for stuck nuts & they are less likely to round off the hex. If you can't get your hands on a good wrench, a line wrench may work. Once the jamb nut is loose, use a 1/2 inch drive socket on an 18 inch (or more) ratchet or breaker bar to loosen the the mounting nut.

[shocker147]

Can you tell me what the specific function of the tie rod is?

[roadragecustoms]

@shocker147 The outer tie rod connects the steering knuckle to the inner tie rod. It pivots when steering & bends with suspension travel. The inner TR connects the rack & pinion to the outer tie rod. The inner tie rod also pivots & bends. The rack & pinion pulls & pushes on the tie rods to turn the front wheels when you steer. Adjusting the total length of the inner & outer tie rod assembly adjusts the toe in or out on the front end alignment. Toe can cause tire wear & crooked steering wheel.

[diulaylomochohai]

great video.

[imthechandyman]

to the tie rod ends spin in opposite directions on the driver and passenger sides of the car

[roadragecustoms]

@imthechandyman No they don't. On many vehicles, the outer tie rods are the same part # right & left. The inner tie rods are often the same part R & L too.

[xxdjcharlierockxx]

do they all need to be greased? i got a 95 eagle talon need a outer rod and bearing according to the place i got my oil change but they told me the bill would be like 580.00! cant really afford it but cant afford my wheel to fall off also can it done on the ground? thanks in advance! great video bty happy holidays...

[roadragecustoms]

@xxdjcharlierockxx Some can't be greased. Yes, you can do this on jack stands. Good luck, be careful, & Merry Christmas!

[xxdjcharlierockxx]

@roadragecustoms thanks for the quick reply roadrage...excellent video's please keep them coming.

[sweetestnovember28]

Brilliant! Thanks

[maillet420]

Nice video mate!! Gonna change this on a 99 explorer Passenger side tomorrow. Really instructive video thx a lot for the help!!

[tripp333]

Roadragecustomers,I have a 2002 Nissan Alitma 2.5L how do I verify whether the inner or outer tie rods need to be changed?

[roadragecustoms]

@tripp333 Lift the front wheels off the ground & shake the tires individually side to side. Look for play, or excess movement, in each part to see which is bad.

[DJDubz1977]

Are these suggested to be done in pairs replacement

[roadragecustoms]

@DJDubz1977 I usually only replace them in pairs if both are bad.

[punkofdeath]

what if the tie rod end is non serviceable and has no grease fitting do i need to remove the rubber and grease it or should it come pre-greased?

[roadragecustoms]

@punkofdeath It come sealed with grease inside if it's non-serviceable.

[punkofdeath]

@roadragecustoms i figured but didnt want to assume anything.

[Nightwing690]

Hey Dave, why is counting the rotations when removing the outer tire rod so important?

[roadragecustoms]

@Nightwing690 If you re-install the tie rod back in the exact same location, by counting the rotations, you won't wear out the tires on the way to the alignment shop.

[vochitoken]

Wow! nice tip of the hammering

[xScoobyDoo82x]

Loved the video. Short and simple but clear. If only somebody made a video of ball joint replacement this good.

[roadragecustoms]

@xScoobyDoo82x I tried to make one. Watch F150 Squeaky Ball Joint Replacement in the related videos.

[MegaLp2000]

thank you.

[Joeasia1981]

I like how you just spin the tie rod off with one finger lol, never been the case for me all the ones i,ve replaced were rusted as hell countless hours of PBC blaster and blow torching.

Good vid man.

[Jdane53]

Thanks for the vid man. Helped a lot

[Bandshifter]

Nice new car not a spot of WD40 in sight, you make it look so easy, i attempted this on my Rover 416SI was a nightmare but ended up replacing both ends had to still put car in to mechanic get tracking done.

[mstep3]

if you're not worried about damaging the boot on the old tie rod end then a pickle fork can help get it out if a hammer doesn't work.......

[airfats1]

Love your vids bro. That was easy stuff. I might go change mine soon on my s10 now.

[mraider869]

Once again another short but informative vid... Also what software do you use to edit your videos, Im currently using Quicktime but Im not liking it I would like to try other programs out their...

[roadragecustoms]

Thanks! I use a Flip camera. It comes with FlipShare software built into the camera. When you plug the camera into the USB port for the first time it loads the software into the computer. Editing is almost idiot proof with it.

[EricTheCarGuy]

Clear and to the point, great video.

[sbab83]

I was so disappointed when I tried this on my Taurus. Nothing would budge. I tried absolutely everything, it was completely jammed in there. Both nuts.

I had to take it to the mechanic, who needed to use a torch. Cost me like $90. Which pained me so much knowing how easy it could have been.

[fixinggrace]

This is by far the easiest way to change an outer tie rod end. We were on a ski trip and one of these got loose. It was easier than taking the wheel off to get to it. Very informative video 5/5.

[k73mrviking]

5/5

[AutoStudent4Life]

sweet that was fast

[xuberantz]

Nice video.