Tie Rod End: Service and Repair

REMOVAL
1. Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a frame contact type hoist.
2. Remove tire and wheel assembly.





3. Loosen the pinch bolt at the outer to inner tie rod adjustment sleeve.





4. Remove the outer tie rod to strut steering arm attaching nut.





5. Remove the outer tie rod from the steering arm using Puller, Special Tool C-3894-A.
6. Remove outer tie rod from adjustment sleeve.

INSTALLATION
1. Install the outer tie rod into the adjustment sleeve. Do not tighten the adjustment pinch bolt at this time.
2. Install the outer tie rod into the steering arm on front strut. Install tie rod to steering arm attaching nut. Tighten the attaching nut a torque of 37 Nm (27 ft. lbs.).
3. Install the tire and wheel assembly.
4. Install and tighten the wheel mounting nuts in proper sequence until all nuts are torqued to half specification. Then repeat the tightening sequence to the full specified torque of 129 Nm (95 ft. lbs.).
5. Lower vehicle.





CAUTION: When setting the front Toe on the vehicle, the maximum dimension of exposed threads allowed on the adjuster and outer tie rod cannot exceed the distance. If the maximum distance is exceeded, inadequate retention of either the adjuster or the outer tie rod can result. This condition can cause separation of the outer tie rod end from the inner tie rod. Ensure that adjustment sleeve pinch bolts are torqued to the required specification when Toe setting procedure is completed.

6. Check the front wheel toe setting on vehicle and make required changes. When making front wheel toe adjustments, be sure the maximum exposed thread requirements are not exceeded.

CAUTION: When torquing the adjuster pinch bolt, the following procedure must be followed to ensure adequate retention of the adjuster is obtained. Not following this procedure could result in the Toe Setting Adjustment changing and/or the separation of the outer tie rod from the inner tie rod.

7. After completion of the tie rod end installation and the toe adjustment procedure, tighten adjuster pinch bolt to a torque of 38 Nm (28 ft. lbs.). Make sure the outer tie rod maintains correct perpendicular orientation while tightening the adjuster pinch bolt.